Issue - meetings

The 2013/2014 BSCB report item was presented by Helen Davies, the Independent Chair of the Bromley Safeguarding Children’s Board (BSCB). The report highlighted a number of identified achievements and other areas where further improvement was required. The report had been submitted to the Health and Wellbeing Board as a statutory requirement, and to update the Board on the effectiveness of local services in keeping children safe.

The Chair of the BSCB felt that the Board had delivered against the business plan and key priorities, and had achieved compliance with their duties under Section 11 of the Children’s Act 2004. Members noted that the BSCB had the responsibility to scrutinise the availability of early help for children and parents.

The Chair of the BSCB was confident that the foundations of good safeguarding practice were in place, and that progress had been made in the engagement process with schools. The Board heard that in terms of scrutiny, all relevant agencies were required to report to the BSCB. There had been a renewed focus on Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and “Missing Children.”  The Board were informed that other areas of high priority for the BSCB were domestic abuse, and the emotional and mental wellbeing of young people. 

A Member raised concerns about the continuity of children’s social workers; it was noted that this had been a problem in the past with LBB, and that this needed to be monitored. The Executive Director of Education, Care and Health Services stated that LBB were always keen to maintain continuity whenever possible, and that this was a key requirement.

A Member referred to the section of the report that mentioned allegations of misconduct by professionals, and enquired about the outcome of the allegations. The Chair of the BSCB responded that precise outcomes had not been noted. It was believed that only one or two people had been convicted, and that in most cases, the allegations were either uncertain or unsubstantiated. 

RESOLVED that the BSCB Annual Report 2013/14 be noted.