Agenda item

The Leicester Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) submit their Annual Report for 24/25 which will be presented by the LSCP Independent Scrutineer.

The Strategic Director of Social Care and Education submitted the Leicester Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report to the Commission on the activity Safe Guarding Partners have undertaken in a 12 month period.

·       The LSCP Independent Scrutineer presented the report. The following was noted:

·       The report had been delayed from its usual summer publication date and provided a retrospective overview of the partnership’s activity.

·       The report responded to statutory requirements and set out key achievements and challenges. It was highlighted that the reporting year had seen significant national change, with the context and drivers for those changes detailed throughout the report.

·       Priority areas had been triangulated using feedback from children, families and practitioners, with practitioner voice playing a key role in shaping the work. The priorities for the coming year were set out at the end of the report.

Key Achievements:

• Formed a new Education Subgroup, which promotes and strengthens the role of local schools, colleges, early years and childcare settings in safeguarding arrangements
• Expanded the reach and membership of the Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Voluntary and Community Sector Forum to strengthen engagement with this sector
• Quickly addressed and started to implement any learning required as a result of national reviews published by the Child Safeguarding
• Practice Review Panel
• Delivered high quality and well-attended large scale training events alongside our regular training programme

Key Challenges:

• Implementing the changes required as a result of Working Together 2023 and ensuring that the measures agreed were suitable and proportionate
• Progressing our Transitions
  Business Priority. The issues faced have been addressed and for 2025-26 there will be new vigour and focus to this work
• Having the capacity to fulfil our audit schedule, in light of competing priorities linked to the Joint Targeted Inspection programme. As a result of the issues faced, for 2025-26, the work of the Assurance and Audit Group will be split and taken up by two separate subgroups - the Performance Group and the Audit Group

In discussion with Members, the following was noted:

·       Members welcomed the proposal to recruit a young person to the partnership and sought clarity on how individuals would be selected and supported to ensure they were able to participate meaningfully in the role.

·       Officers explained that benchmarking and research had been undertaken with other areas where similar approaches were already established. Consideration had been given to balancing education commitments with participation, with the focus placed on the 16 to 18 age group. The role had been advertised widely to ensure fairness and accessibility, supported by a clear role description and skills profile. A shortlist had been agreed and interviews were due to take place, with the process being held online to improve accessibility. That while many young people already had relevant experience, the process had been designed to avoid excluding those who had not previously had similar opportunities.

·       Members raised safeguarding concerns in relation to children’s use of mobile phones, recognising this as a nationally prominent issue. Officers confirmed that this remained an ongoing area of focus for the partnership and formed part of its core business. The education group was identified as being well placed to help drive this agenda forward, supported by partnership policies and procedures.

·       It was noted that there was extensive guidance and research on the risks associated with social media use, including situations that could not always be anticipated and might require support from family workers. In relation to looked after children, officers explained that mobile phone use was managed through risk assessment, with recognition that in some cases not having access could present a greater risk.

·       Assurance was provided that safeguarding arrangements in this area would continue to be discussed and developed, including learning from international approaches.

·       Members discussed the governance structure set out in the report, noting the number of groups within the partnership and seeking clarification on whether these were recent developments. It was explained that the structure reflected statutory partnership requirements, with additional groups introduced since 2023, including the education group, to respond to new expectations. Ongoing engagement was in place to ensure effective communication and alignment across the partnership.

·       The Commission considered the financial position of the partnership, noting changes in income and increases in costs. It was noted that the partnership was made up of independent organisations, with rising salary costs contributing to financial pressures.

·       A review of financial requirements was underway across children’s and adults’ boards to ensure delivery in a cost effective way. It was clarified that partners participated as part of their substantive roles, with no additional payment for involvement, although there were crossovers between groups. Membership included senior representatives across local authority, health and education, working collectively to support child welfare.

·       Members sought assurance regarding accountability and legal responsibility within the partnership, it was confirmed that all activity was governed by statutory Working Together arrangements, providing a framework for assurance and mutual challenge between agencies.

·       Further discussion focused on the partnership’s budget, including previous underspends and the small overspend in 2024/25 that had been supported by reserves. It was advised that planning for 2025/26 was underway, noting that recent increases such as national insurance had added pressure and that commissioning activity could vary across financial years. This had prompted a deeper review to identify efficiencies and ensure the most cost effective operating model.

·       Members commented on the safeguarding case studies and resources included in the report, raising concerns about low engagement figures relative to the resources required to produce them. Difficulties in locating content on the website and broken links were highlighted, alongside questions about value for money and how promotion could be improved.

·       Officers acknowledged the feedback and confirmed it would be taken forward as part of ongoing work, including exploring opportunities for greater collaboration to reduce duplication and increase reach. The importance of sharing good practice through professionals such as teachers was also emphasised.

·       Members asked about the key safeguarding risks identified and the preventative measures planned for the coming year. Officers referred to the priorities set out in the report for the next 2 years, informed by national reviews and evidence, including risks associated with hidden harm and neglect occurring behind closed doors. A strong focus on belonging and lived experience was highlighted, with these priorities to be addressed through a structured programme of work.

AGREED

1.    The Commission noted the Annual Report for 2024 to 25.

2.    Officers were asked to take away members’ feedback and suggestions, including promotion and accessibility of safeguarding resources, as part of ongoing partnership work.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.    Officers to consider how safeguarding resources and videos could be more effectively promoted and accessed, including reviewing website functionality and links.

2.    Officers to continue work on reviewing partnership costs and governance arrangements and ensure value for money is demonstrated.

3.    Officers to keep safeguarding priorities, including mobile phone use and online safety, under review and report progress through the partnership’s future work programme.