Agenda item

This report introduces the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board’s (KMSAB) Annual Report for April 2021–March 2022. The Annual Report sets out the responsibilities and structure of the Board and details how the multi-agency partnership delivered against its priorities for the year.

The report also provides information pertaining to Safeguarding Adults Reviews and safeguarding activity information.

Discussion:

Members considered the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board’s (KMSAB) Annual Report for April 2021–March 2022. The Annual Report set out the responsibilities and structure of the Board and detailed how the multi-agency partnership delivered against its priorities for the year. The report also provided information pertaining to Safeguarding Adults Reviews and safeguarding activity information. Members were advised that the Annual Report related to the Board’s previous Strategic Plan.

The following issues were discussed:

·         Multiagency training programme workshops - an undertaking was given to let Members know how many of these were in Medway.

·         Voluntary and Community sector (VCS) - noting the VCS also had responsibility for safeguarding, the point was made that the report did not detail which VCS organisations the Board had worked with. The Board’s Independent Chair commented that he fully acknowledged the importance of the VCS in safeguarding. He was keen that the voice of the VCS was heard and agreed with a comment that it was important to work with those smaller VCS organisations which worked with hard-to-reach groups.

·         Exploitation – in terms of what safeguards were in place for vulnerable people in semi supported living, the Independent Chair advised that Medway Council’s shared lives scheme worked well with people with learning disabilities. There was an increase in the exploitation of people with learning disabilities from gangs where people manifested as carers. He was looking to see joint working with the Community Safety Partnership could try to tackle this by building this into the violent crimes strategy. In response to whether the Board had experienced quasi-religious groups seeking to exploit people, Members were advised that this had not been seen.

·         Vulnerable adults in supported living – a concern was expressed that some organisations received additional housing benefit for tenants in supported or semi-independent living but did not provide the support promised. Whether these properties should be licensed was suggested as a way forward. How safeguarding reached into such places was queried. The Assistant Director advised that supported living organisations did not have to register with CQC unless they provided personal care. There had been discussions about whether there should be a requirement for other councils to advise the host council where they had placed an adult in their area.

·         Case studies of Completed Safeguarding Adults Reviews – the point was made that men featured in these much more than women and it was queried what else could be done to help vulnerable men. The Independent Chair commented that safeguarding was a matter for all agencies and the Board’s role was to point out risks to agencies. There was a need to be more focused on protecting vulnerable people and targeting offenders. There had been an increase in mental health issues in men and suicide and a focus needed to be kept on this.

·         New Safeguarding Concerns and Enquiries - the point was made that the increase in new concerns in Medway had not affected Medway’s position in the CIPFA Comparator Group. Members were advised other councils were seeing the same increase, which was why Medway was at the same level in the comparator group. The Independent Chair explained he was always keen to know the results of these reports and Medway was very open in providing information and encouraging people to report concerns.

Decision:

The Committee agreed to note the Annual Report and the comments of the Health and Wellbeing Board.