Issue - meetings

The Committee considered and approved the recommendation of the Local Joint Panel meeting held on 7 June 2017 on a new Safeguarding Policy. 

The Head of HR and Organisational Development explained the Policy had been updated to reflect changes requested by the Local Joint Panel at its meeting on 7 June 2017 and had been circulated to all Members of HR Committee.  She provided a summary of the changes.

RESOLVED – that the new Safeguarding Policy, as now submitted, be approved.

(see Minute xxx above)

The Secretary to the Employer’s Side submitted a report on a revised Safeguarding Policy.  She provided a summary of the report. 

Councillor P Boylan welcomed the Policy but expressed concern that two important pieces of legislation had not been reflected in the revised Policy, namely the absence of a legislative framework around safeguarding either for adults or children.  He stated that since the last policy of 2014, there had been a number of  significant changes: 

·                    Working Together to Safeguard                   Children 2015 (which provided             statutory guidance to inter-agency    working and specific                                       responsibilities for housing                 services and environmental health);

          and
                                     

                   the Care Act 2015 (which provided              statutory framework around                              safeguarding adults);

·                    Safeguarding Training for           Councillors;

·                    Allegations against Staff and     responsibilities (under the Children           Act 2004) of early referral to the          Local Authority Designated Officer           (LADO) at Hertfordshire County          Council and so avoid any criticism           for attempting to manage any    allegations “in house”.

The Panel welcomed these views.  Councillor G McAndrew provided a summary of what other actions the Council had introduced from a safeguarding viewpoint and the Council’s actions in relationship to partnership working to promote safeguards.

Councillor P Boylan referred to the responsibilities of Authorities in relation to domestic violence.

The Secretary to the Employer’s Side assured Members that the Policy would be amended and circulated in advance of Human Resources Committee to reflect the legislative changes referred to above.

The Panel recommended to Human Resources Committee, approval of the report, as now amended .

RECOMMENDED – that the revised Safeguarding Policy, as now amended , be approved.