Agenda item

(A report by Emily Spicer, Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services)

The Portfolio Holder for Communities, Councillor Helen Staples, presented a report by the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services, who was in attendance, which sought approval of the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Safeguarding Policy. The report explained that the policy had been developed following the creation of the Partnership and the move to a single workforce, with the aim of providing a consistent and standardised approach to safeguarding children and adults across all three councils.

Members were advised that the policy set out the Partnership’s responsibilities under the Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014, and provided clear guidance for Members, officers, contractors and volunteers on identifying, reporting and responding to safeguarding concerns. The report highlighted that the policy emphasised a person?centred approach, professional curiosity, clear reporting pathways and effective record keeping, ensuring that safeguarding remained everyone’s responsibility.

The policy also incorporated arrangements for training and awareness, including mandatory safeguarding training delivered through the First4Learning system, supported by face?to?face sessions where appropriate. Members were advised that the policy included provisions for ongoing review, with minor updates to be made as required to reflect changes in legislation or practice, and a full review to be undertaken on a cyclical basis.

Members were further advised that the adoption of a single safeguarding policy would improve clarity, strengthen governance and support effective partnership working with Lincolnshire County Council and other relevant agencies.

The introduction of a single Partnership?wide safeguarding policy was welcomed, and the significant amount of work undertaken was acknowledged by the Portfolio Holder and officers to develop a comprehensive and robust framework across the Partnership. The complexity of aligning safeguarding arrangements across three councils within a single workforce was recognised, and Members noted the importance of the collaborative approach taken to achieve this.

The strong emphasis on early identification of concerns was supported and the clear message that safeguarding issues should be shared and not retained by individuals. The focus on professional curiosity, clear reporting routes and robust record keeping was noted as particularly important in supporting effective safeguarding practice.

The inclusion of mandatory training and ongoing monitoring of completion was welcomed, alongside the recognition of the need to support both staff and Members through supervision, guidance and regular discussion of safeguarding matters. Members noted that the policy provided clarity around roles and responsibilities and would help ensure confidence and consistency in responding to safeguarding concerns.

The discussion highlighted the benefits of a standardised approach in strengthening governance, reducing the risk of inconsistency and ensuring continued compliance with statutory duties. Members also welcomed the provision for regular review, recognising the need for the policy to remain responsive to legislative change and emerging best practice.

Overall, Members agreed that the policy reflected a high standard of work and provided a clear, proportionate and effective framework to support safeguarding across the Partnership.

The recommendation was moved by Councillor Helen Staples and seconded by Councillor Sandeep Ghosh.

Resolved:

1.    That the joint SELCP Safeguarding Policy be adopted;

2.    That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to make minor amendments to the policy, ensuring it remains up to date with legislative changes and operational requirements; and

3.    That the Assistant Director undertake a full review of the policy every four years, with any proposed revisions presented to Cabinet for approval to maintain strategic oversight and governance.

[The Assistant Director – Regulatory left the meeting at 6.21pm, during consideration of the above item]