Issue - meetings

That the Safeguarding Statement for the City of Wolverhampton Council be approved.

Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE presented the City of Wolverhampton Safeguarding Statement for approval. The Safeguarding Statement set out the Council’s commitment and ownership of safeguarding and how it was demonstrated across the organisation as a whole. The Statement would promote the welfare of the children, young people and adults using or receiving services provided or commissioned by the Council, and support the organisation to fulfil its statutory responsibilities. The Statement would also provide a consistent understanding of the standards that the Council would continue to demonstrate.

Resolved:

That the Safeguarding Statement for the City of Wolverhampton Council be approved.

Emma Bennett, Director for Children’s Service, to present report

David Watts, Director of Adult Services, presented the report on behalf of the Head of Safeguarding. The Director of Adults outlined the background to the report and invited the panel to comment on the two draft samples for the safeguarding statement. A report with a recommendation for the final layout of the statement will be presented to Cabinet on 20 March 2019 for approval.

The panel welcomed the report and discussed the content of the different safeguarding statements. The panel suggested the list of priorities should be changed and grouped together in themed areas rather than being listed.

The panel discussed the cover arrangements during the period of absence by the Head of Safeguarding. The Head of Adult Services reassured the panel that the necessary interim changes had been made to ensure the Council continues to meet its safeguarding responsibilities.

The panel welcomed greater clarity about the responsibility to deliver the aims detailed in the draft safeguarding statement.

The panel discussed the safeguarding issues relating to the training of licensed taxi drivers. The panel requested details about what additional training is given to taxi drivers after they have been issued with a licence. The Head of Adult Services agreed to investigate and report back to the panel.

Resolved:

1.    The panel comments on draft safeguarding statement to be considered as part of the consultation.

2.      The Head of Adult Services to provide details on any follow up safeguarding training given to taxi drivers after they been issued with a licence.