Agenda item

The Committee considered the Annual Report of the Independent Chair of County Durham Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) for 2018/19 (for copies see file of minutes).

The Independent Chair reported that this was the final report prior to transitioning to the new statutory partnership arrangement known as the Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership.

The report described the work undertaken against the LSCB’s 2018-2019 priorities and described local governance arrangements and links to other strategic partnerships across County Durham.

Members were also informed of the transitional arrangements to the new Partnership which commenced on 1 April 2019, three months ahead of the national schedule.

Members discussed the Annual Report.

Referring to the Local Safeguarding data for 2018/2019, Councillor Brookes asked why there was a reported reduction in children subject to a Child Protection Plan in the year, when there had been an increase in children in the looked after system. The Independent Chair responded that it was difficult to give precise reasons; children coming into care were in crisis and had increasingly complex needs. The Partnership recognised that since 2016 there had been a sustained increase in children in care, and he assured the member that the Partnership would explore in further the data in respect of both these priority areas.

The member also noted that funding levels had remained the same in 2018/2019 and asked why the annual financial contributions received from partner agencies had not increased to support the work of the Partnership. The Independent Chair explained that a decision was made to maintain existing levels as part of the transition process due to the uncertainty around the funding the new Partnership would need. In accordance with national guidelines funding must be ‘proportionate and equitable’ and the Partnership was due to meet with key partners in this year’s budget round to discuss contribution levels going forward.

Resolved:

That

a)   The content of the report be noted;

b)   the 2018/2019 Annual Report of Durham Local Safeguarding Children’s Board be endorsed.