Issue - meetings

Report CS18187

The Committee received a presentation on the Bromley Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2017/18 by Lynn Sellwood, Independent Chairman and Raynor Griffiths, Manager: Bromley Safeguarding Adults Board.

The Local Authority had a statutory duty under the Care Act 2015 to establish a Safeguarding Adults Board to help and protect vulnerable adults in Bromley.  The Bromley Safeguarding Adults Board had three main functions comprising developing a strategic plan, publishing an annual report and undertaking Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) to investigate serious incidents.  No SARs had been commissioned in 2017/18; however the Safeguarding Adults Review Committee had made the decision to commission a SAR in respect of one case on 29^th June 2018 that was currently in progress, and a further case had met the threshold for a SAR for which the Board was seeking legal advice.  During 2017/18, the Bromley Safeguarding Adults Board had undertaken a range of work in continuing to deliver the Safeguarding Adults Strategy 2016-19, including the establishment of the Safeguarding Adults Review Committee, creating a safeguarding awareness commercial and delivering a number of events to raise awareness of adult safeguarding.  The key priorities for the year had been self-neglect, hoarding, domestic violence and fire safety in homes, and the same key priorities would be carried forward into 2019/20.  The forward work programme included the development of the Board’s strategy for 2020-2023 and a strategy and Borough-wide approach to tackling modern day slavery.  It was also planned to undertake an audit of safeguarding practice in the private, voluntary and independent sectors and develop a community engagement programme to increase awareness of adult safeguarding in Bromley.

A Member underlined the need to continue to raise awareness of adult safeguarding in the Borough to help people in identifying concerns and feeling able to report them.  A Co-opted Member suggested that posters be displayed in town centres across the Borough.  The Independent Chairman confirmed that the Bromley Safeguarding Adults Board undertook a range of promotional activities, including presentations to local groups and a website.  A Member noted the importance of ensuring that people reporting any safeguarding concerns felt reassured that appropriate action would be taken

In response to a request from a Member, the Director: Adult Social Care agreed to arrange a training session for Members and Co-opted Members on adult safeguarding.  The Independent Chairman confirmed that a wider range of training opportunities were available for officers, Councillors and members of the public and the schedule of activities for the Safeguarding Awareness Fortnight taking place between 3^rd-14^th December 2018 would be provided to Members following the meeting.  Sample posters and leaflets promoting the adult safeguarding message would be provided electronically to Members following the meeting as well as hard copies of leaflets for distribution to local community groups.

The Chairman led Members in thanking Lynn Sellwood and Raynor Griffiths for their excellent presentation which is attached at Appendix A.

RESOLVED that the Bromley Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2017/18 be noted.