Agenda item

Report of the Director of Adult Social Services.

RESOLVED:  That the findings of the Peer Review and the next steps that the Local Safeguarding Adults Board would be considering taking forward in the next year be noted.

Reason for Decision:  The safeguarding of vulnerable adults at risk of significant harm was a key duty for the Council and it was important for the Cabinet to be reassured that local arrangements were fit for purpose.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  None.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member / Dispensation Granted:  None.

[Call-in does not apply to decisions that have been noted.]

Cabinet received a report, which set out some background information about Peer Reviews and why Harrow Adult Services had decided to commission one.  It provided details about the process of the Review, the findings of the Review Team and the next steps.

The Leader of the Council welcomed Cathy Kerr, Director of Adult and Community Services, London Borough of Richmond and Lead Peer Review Officer, and Cathie Williams, London Councils and Lead for Safeguarding in the Greater London Authority, and invited them to address Cabinet and report on their findings.

In her introductory remarks, Cathy Kerr said that brief headlines would be provided to Cabinet by her Peer Review colleague, Cathie Williams, following which questions would be taken from Members.

Cathie Williams referred to the report and highlighted six key points.  She reported that safeguarding adults was a high risk area for all organisations and that, in Harrow, the Peer Review Team had witnessed cross-party commitment and strong leadership.  There were many areas of excellence and a strong desire to tackle challenges.  The staff were committed, specialists were knowledgeable, there had been an investment in social workers and the legal advice provided was excellent.  There was scope for the Council to capture data which would provide information on the difference that the service was making, and to work collectively with its partners.  The data and the intelligence gathered would help the providers to work proactively and provide preventative measures in this high risk area.  In summary, the Council was in position to tackle future challenges and the learning process during the Peer Review had been a reciprocal experience.

The Portfolio Holder for Adults and Housing recognised the value and benefits of a Peer Review and added that, whilst the review report was positive, there was no room for complacency in this challenging service area.  He thanked a former Portfolio Holder for her work in this area.

In response to various questions from Members, Cathy Kerr and Cathie Williams replied that, in relation to the frontline partnership working, all systems needed to be confident and all partners, including staff, needed to be fully aware of their duties.  The Peer Review Group had found that the specialists were very knowledgeable.  It was important that contingencies to reach out to the harder to reach groups were in place, such as those for adults with mental health problems.  The Peer Review Team had observed the work carried out in this area and had been impressed with the support given to individuals by the frontline practitioners working in Mental Health Trusts.  In relation to those suffering from dementia, it had been recognised that a letter was not always a good way of communicating and that some encouraging feedback had been received about the advocacy services.

The Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Adults and Housing thanked Cathy Kerr and Cathie Williams for their presentations.  They thanked the Director of Adult Social Services and the Corporate Director of Community, Health and Wellbeing for their continued excellent work in the safeguarding of adults.  The issue of partnership working and related challenges would be addressed through the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board which was chaired by the Leader.  Additionally, the Council had set up an informal body to address ‘families in trouble’, such as those that did not fit into the government funding process.

In summary, the Acting Head of Paid Service, in his capacity as the Corporate Director of Community, Health and Wellbeing, recognised that this service area had risen to the challenges posed and had stretched itself to deliver a good service.  He thanked Members for their strong political support to ensure good delivery.

RESOLVED:  That the findings of the Peer Review and the next steps that the Local Safeguarding Adults Board would be considering taking forward in the next year be noted.

Reason for Decision:  The safeguarding of vulnerable adults at risk of significant harm was a key duty for the Council and it was important for the Cabinet to be reassured that local arrangements were fit for purpose.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  None.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member / Dispensation Granted:  None.

[Call-in does not apply to decisions that have been noted.]