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South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2015-16
South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2015/16 Page 1 (Final – Aug 2016)
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Contents Page
Foreword 3
Chapter 1 – The Strategic Vision/Local Background and Content 5
Chapter 2 – Progress Against Last Year’s Priorities 7
Chapter 3 – Key Safeguarding Data 10
Chapter 4 – Governance and Accountability Arrangements 28
Chapter 5 – LSCB Update / Core Functions 29
Chapter 6 – Board Effectiveness and Challenge 40
Chapter 7 – How Safe are our Children and Young People? 41
Chapter 8 – STSCB Priorities for 2016-19 42
Appendix 1 – South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board 44
Appendix 2 – STSCB Structure 47
Appendix 3 – STSCB Board Members 48
Appendix 4 – Agency attendance at STSCB Meetings 49
Appendix 5 – Missing Children/Return Home Interview Data 53
Appendix 6 – STSCB Budget 2016-17 56
The imagery used throughout this document is courtesy of Google Images.
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Foreword
Welcome to the Annual Report of South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board (STSCB) for the period from April 2015 to March 2016. I was appointed as Chair in September 2015, so this is my first report, covering a year in which my predecessor David Ashcroft ably chaired the Board until August. I will summarise the work of the Board over the year, set out some data on safeguarding children across partners in South Tyneside, and deliver a verdict on the current safety of children in South Tyneside.
It was immediately clear to me that the partners in South Tyneside have a strong commitment to working together, holding each other to account and seeking to learn and improve together. The STSCB brings together a wide range of partners – council, health bodies, police, probation, voluntary sector and many others – and we all know that working together across so many agencies is inherently challenging. In particular, as austerity has hit all agencies to differing degrees, the partnership has been making genuinely difficult and painful decisions at times, seeking to respond to increasing needs within the community with ever reducing resources. It is these periods that really test the depth of the partnership, and I thank all the partners for their continued commitment.
In February 2016 South Tyneside was the subject of the country’s first Joint Targeted Area Inspection. Inspectors from all the major regulatory agencies came to South Tyneside, to inspect the multi-agency response to abuse and neglect, and to inspect in particular our response to child sexual exploitation (CSE) and those missing from home, care or education. This included a careful look at the work of STCSB. Their inspection letter is available here on the Ofsted website.
I am pleased to say that the report identified much real strength in the work of each agency, and in our partnership working. They praised in particular our commitment to joint working, the work of STSCB to focus effectively on awareness and prevention of CSE, the quality of our direct work with children and young people, and the effectiveness of our multi-agency meetings to consider Missing Children. Within individual services they recognised improvements in Children’s Social Care’s responses to children when harm or risk is first identified, and praised the work around domestic abuse. The work of the Police, Probation and Youth justice was particularly praised, as was the quality of health support to children with alcohol misuse or self-harm.
They also identified several areas for improvement, most of which we had previously identified. We need to improve the level of managerial oversight within health services, increasing the range of audits and the quality of risk assessment within the Trust. We are steadily improving the quality of our performance data and our analysis, but we still have some way to go. We need to ensure that our Early Help offer becomes fully embedded in practice across partners. We need to strengthen the joint decision-making of children at risk. Our recent system for ensuring that all missing children receive Return Home interviews needs to bed in. We need to ensure that staff in all agencies have a common approach to CSE vulnerability checklists. Our response to children at risk of CSE needs to become more pro- active.
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Our response to this inspection was joint, rapid and effective. We have modelled our ambitions for multi-agency working in the way in which we drew up a robust improvement plan. The partners have gone further than asked, committing to establishing a new multi-agency decision-making hub for children’s safeguarding by October 2016, and establishing integrated community teams by April 2017.
There is much detail in this report of the hard work of all the agencies. We have the confidence to challenge each other if we think any agencies need to improve, but we do so within a partnership where we offer strong support to each other. “High Support, High Challenge” is becoming our slogan, as the partnership of agencies confronts the real challenges that the Government and the economy present to us all. In the year ahead we face many more changes, including a review of how multi- agency safeguarding arrangements are to be organised.
Safeguarding arrangements within South Tyneside are broadly robust and effective. This is due to the personal commitment of many individuals. Perhaps above all, though, we should thank our central team of Jackie Nolan and Lynn Hodson, for steering us so smoothly through the daily challenges of our work together.
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Sir Paul Ennals Independent Chair South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board
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CHAPTER 1: THE STRATEGIC VISION / LOCAL BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The Strategic Vision
We want South Tyneside’s children and families to have the best start in life, remain healthy and aspire to a brighter future. To ensure everyone reaches their full potential, we will work with partners to provide the best possible learning opportunities, with targeted protection, care and support for those in greatest need.
Local Background and Context
The borough has a resident population of approximately 29,160 children and young people aged 0 to 17, representing 20% of the total population of the area. Of these children and young people 7.3% are from minority ethnic groups with more than 18 community languages spoken. The largest minority ethnic communities are Bangladeshi, Indian and Arab.
The 2015 Index of Deprivation shows that South Tyneside’s level of deprivation has increased since 2010. It has moved from 52nd most deprived local authority area in 2010 to the 32nd most deprived local authority area in 2015. South Tyneside was identified as the local authority with the largest percentage increase of neighbourhoods falling into the 10% most deprived category.
The borough was identified as the local authority ranked 7th most deprived for employment deprivation and the 15th most deprived council for income deprivation.
34% of Local Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in the borough (35 /102) have over 33% of children aged 0 to 15 living in income deprived families (due to people that are out-of-work, and those that are in work but who have low earnings). There are 5 areas where more than 50% of children are living in income deprived families, the highest having 67%.
There are 63 schools in the borough, comprising: 4 nursery schools; 45 primary schools (including 5 academies); 9 secondary schools (including 3 academies); and 4 special educational needs schools. There are 12 Children’s Centres in total and all offer day care for children. South Tyneside are currently 22nd out of 163 local authorities for the proportion of pupils in good or better primary and secondary schools with 93.3% of children in good or better schools. This compares with 85.1% nationally and 84.4% in the North-East. On this measure we are rated second across all of the North-East, Yorkshire, and Humber region.
Within the borough 19% of secondary pupils and 22% of primary/special school pupils receive free school meals [School Census: January 2016].
Throughout 2015/16 the processes and procedures to support early help continued to be developed and refined through consultation with a wide range of stakeholders working in universal and targeted services (schools, midwifery, health visiting, the voluntary sector, and children’s centres, CFSC and Pupil and SEN Support). This
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Accountability for the impact of early help has been directed firmly at those managing and overseeing universal and targeted services. Services are arranged so that the majority of specialist early help services are delivered in our 12 Children’s Centres and through a range of integrated teams.
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CHAPTER 2: Progress Against Last Year’s Priorities
Priority 1: Develop the influence and local Impact of the Local Safeguarding Children Board
The STSCB appointed a new Independent Chair in September 2015. The Chair sits on the Children & Families Board (former Children’s Trust) and local Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB). This ensures that the work of the Board is promoted and shared at the highest level. There is an agreed protocol held between the HWB and the Children and Families Board, which incorporates an agreed reporting cycle between these groups. This ensures that there is the appropriate read across and opportunities for challenge and scrutiny.
The structure of the LSCB and subgroups were revised. Meetings are now held on a quarterly basis with the exception of the Missing, Sexually Exploited and Trafficked (MSET) group, Child Death Review group and the Learning and Improvement group. Partners agreed that the move to a quarterly pattern of meetings would be accompanied by a commitment to ensure consistent senior attendance by all partners. The new schedule aligns with the quarterly performance data reports. The role of the Management group has been strengthened to drive the work of the STSCB forward.
The Board was very mindful that it needs to be in a strong position to control and monitor risks to ensure that it fulfils its statutory obligation. The Risk Register is an effective tool by which this is achieved. The register is owned by all partners. It is monitored and updated regularly at the Management group and approved by the Executive Board.
In addition to the Risk Register the LSCB also has a Challenge Log. This clearly identifies the challenges raised with multi-agency partners and the outcome.
The self-assessment of the STSCB was revised and updated.
We have improved our communication with the general public regarding key aspects of the work of the Board through the use of the council plasma screens used at large corporate events, for example the Summer Programme at Bents Park, to disseminate key safeguarding messages.
The Board has been successful in more positive engagement with the local faith and community groups. This includes the CSE awareness raising with the local Mosques and Churches Together attended by a variety of denominations as well as community groups.
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Priority 2: Develop a strong multi-agency quality and performance framework
The STSCB continued to strengthen our comprehensive multi-agency data set that is reported on quarterly. Following feedback from the Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) in April 2016 the performance framework will now include more robust analysis of the data and information in order to explain performance outcomes and to inform and improve strategic partners’ understanding of those areas that require improvement.
There have been a number of audits initiated over the year to support the STSCB in understanding local need and practice. The findings from the audit work have influenced the STSCB training programme as well as the practice of frontline practitioners.
Priority 3: Develop and influence the multi- agency safeguarding arrangements across South Tyneside
A significant number of multi-agency consultations and workshops have taken place to further enhance partners understanding and application of the Multi-agency Threshold Guidance. This resulted in a revision to the document that now includes the guidance to support the Early Help process.
The Section 11 Audit for 2015 was completed for the first time using the online audit tool. There was a significant improvement in the return rate compared to last year.
In partnership with Gateshead, Sunderland and Tri-x we have implemented a sub- regional consortium model to develop and agree safeguarding policies and procedures.
Priority 4: Develop a greater understanding of the local safeguarding risk areas and to take appropriate action to reduce risk-taking behaviours
The STSCB Child Sexual Exploitation Strategic Group was amended to cover vulnerable adults (Joint LSCB/SAB Sexual Exploitation Strategic Group). We have developed a strategy and action plan, which are very much ‘live’ documents that evolve following local and national findings.
The STSCB continues to maintain and populate the missing, absent and CSE data base.
CSE training was made a mandatory requirement by the Board for multi-agency partners who work with children, young people and their families.
The STSCB training programme reflects bespoke safeguarding risk areas. This includes bespoke training around working with resistant and challenging families, domestic abuse, neglect including adolescent neglect and bruising in immobile babies.
The multi-agency Neglect Pledge continues to make progress.
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Priority 5: Enhance learning and improvement – to positively influence multi- agency safeguarding practice
The STSCB continues to include three key elements within the training offer: e- learning, core safeguarding training and enhanced training.
A charging policy was agreed in January 2016 to address the high numbers of Did Not Attend (DNA) at face to face training as well as a charge for the non-completion of e-learning modules within the allocated timeframe. There has been a significant improvement across all of these areas.
Shared training opportunities with other LSCBs were promoted that included bespoke neglect training e.g. Sand stories; Trafficking training by the National Working Group and Chelsea’s Choice. STSCB commissioned the training and set a minimum charge for regional partners.
The Safeguarding Children Board and the Safeguarding Adults Board Workforce and Development sub-groups were merged. Many of the same issues are addressed by both Boards therefore a merger was progress towards creating a strengthened pool of resources and a collaborative training offer.
The STSCB introduced a new methodology to the approach taken in two Serious Case Reviews (SCRs). This was the Significant Incident Learning Process (SILP). SILP is a methodology that focuses on the key question of ‘why’ certain actions were taken and its success is achieved through practitioner engagement.
The LSCB Priorities for 2016 – 19
Following partner consultation it was felt that the revised priorities for the Board should reflect the direction of travel that we want to follow and also bring about change.
It was agreed that priority 3 (in respect of Working Together 2015) would be removed leaving 4 priorities where work is ongoing and additional aspects of that work expanded upon. The timeline for these priorities will be three years which will enable the Board to reflect and add any additional objectives into the plan as they arise. The priorities are:
Priority 1: Board effectiveness – Significantly strengthen the influence and Impact of the Safeguarding Children Board
Priority 2: Multi-agency Performance Monitoring – Quality Assurance and LSCB Scrutiny
Priority 3: Key Local Safeguarding Areas of Concern – Understand and implement the appropriate actions to minimise the safeguarding concerns
Priority 4: Learning and improvement to positively influence multi agency safeguarding practice
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Chapter 3 - Key Safeguarding Data 2015-16
CHILDREN IN NEED:
The number of children in need (CIN) decreased in 2015-16 from 1495 at the beginning of the year to 1367 at the end of the year, as shown in the graphs below (this includes all children who are children in need, on child protection plans, or looked after).
However it is of note that there was a fairly high level of churn with 3007 children having CIN status at some point in 2015-16.
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REFERRALS:
1938 referrals were received, reduction on 2014-15 but still above figures for 2013- 14. The rate remains above that of our nearest statistical neighbours*, the North East and England
2011- 2015-16 2009-10 2010-11 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 12 Provisional South Tyneside (number) 1,377 1,220 1,893 1,745 1,871 2,797 1,938 Stat Neighbour (number) 3,039 2,935 3,158 2,813 2,979 England (number) 603,700 615,000 605,100 593,500 657,800 South Tyneside (rate) 452.0 403.1 639.6 593.7 637.4 950.0 Stat Neighbour (rate)* 665.0 667.7 711.2 645.4 676.2 609.7 England (rate) 548.2 556.8 533.5 520.7 573.0 548.3
*Our current statistical neighbours are: (NE) Gateshead, Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland, Sunderland, (NW) Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Salford, St. Helens, Tameside.
All Stat Neighbours, regional and national comparator data is based on year end 2014-15 as year-end 2015-16 positions have not been published.
ASSESSMENTS:
2015-16 2014-15 Provisional South Tyneside 84.8% 73.2% Stat Neighbour 86.0%
North East 84.9%
England 81.5%
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73% of assessments were completed within 45 days, a reduction on the previous year.
CHILD PROTECTION:
S47 Enquiries
336 section 47 enquiries were started in the year, 28 less than last year. The rate has reduced from 124.2 per 10,000 to 115.2 in 2015-16.
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Initial Chid Protection Conferences (ICPCs)
The number of and rate of ICPCs is down while performance on completion within timescales is up.
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93.1% of ICPCs (230/253) were held within 15 days of the Section 47 starting on time in 2015-16, up from 79.9% (203/262). This is better than all comparator areas.
Children subject to a Child Protection (CP) Plan
The number and rate of children subject to a child protection plan (CPP) decreased in 2015-16 from 195 at the beginning of the year to 182 at the end of the year, as shown in the graphs below.
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South Tyneside Stat Neighbour North East England Rate of children per 10,000 subject to a child protection plan at the end 66.5 70.0 of the period 62.4 58.9 60.0 52.4 50.0 37.8 40.0 30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 Provisional CP starts and Ends
More children ceased to be subject to a CP plan than started in 2015-16 and the number of CP plans started reduced by 8% as compared with in 2014-15.
The Service has reduced the number of children ceasing CP after two years or more from 4.7% in 2014-15 to 2.3% in 2015-16.
2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 South Tyneside 4.7 2.3 Stat Neighbour 5.4 3.6 4.9 2.6 North East 4.2 2.3 2.5 3.0 England 5.2 4.5 3.7
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15.2% of the total number of children becoming subject to the plan in 2015-16 had a previous CP Plan, this is an increase from 10.6% in 2014-15, although this proportion is in line with national rate 16.6% and the statistical neighbours 15.9%. Good performance is generally considered to be between 10-15%.
2015-16 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Provisional South Tyneside 4.9 7.0 4.7 11.2 10.6 15.2 Stat Neighbour 11.2 13.2 14.2 15.4 15.9 North East 12.6 12.4 15.0 12.6 14.0 England 13.3 13.8 14.9 16 17
Categories of Abuse
Neglect remains the largest category of abuse, and in fact has increased from last year.
Physical Sexual Emotional Neglect Multiple Abuse Abuse Abuse South Tyneside 2015-16 75.8 3.8 3.3 17.0 0.0 South Tyneside 2014-15 69.5 0.8 0.8 28.8 0.0 Stat Neighbour 52.4 10.5 n/a 31.8 n/a North East 60.5 12.1 3.7 22.0 1.7 South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2015/16 Page 16 (Final – Aug 2016)
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England 42.6 9.0 4.4 35.9 8.1
Physical Sexual Emotional Neglect Multiple Abuse Abuse Abuse South Tyneside 2015-16 Provisional 84.6% 3.8% 0.5% 11.0% 0.0% South Tyneside 2014-15 73.3% 0.8% 0.8% 25.0% 0.0% Stat Neighbour 52.3% 10.9% n/a 31.4% n/a North East 60.2% 12.4% 3.7% 21.8% 2.3% England 43.2% 10.0% 4.6% 33.7% 8.4%
Child Protection Visits
The performance in undertaking statutory visits has improved significantly since 2014-15, from 70.9% (290/409) to 81.7% (330/404) in 2015-16. Current performance is higher than the latest published rates in the North East (61%), England (63.7%) and among statistical neighbours (72%).
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Child Protection Reviews
2015-16 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Provisional South Tyneside 86.0 71.1 83.3 43.2 72.0 79.9 84.6 Stat Neighbour 75.8 72.0 84.2 82.2 74.0 81.6 England 66.2 69.2 72.3 70.0 69.3 74.7
The nationally published measure above is based on only those children on a CP plan that was open for at least 3 months at the 31st March and who had all their reviews completed in time in the year. The 84.6% is based on 107/131. When all 534 reviews that took place in 2015-16 are taken into account 94% were completed within timescale.
CHILDREN IN CARE:
Rate and Number of Children in Care
Number of looked after children (LAC)
As at the 31st March 2016 there were 289 looked after children in South Tyneside, this is lower than the figure at the end of 2014-15 (300). The rate, (99 per 100,000 children), is lower than the position at year end 2014-15 (102 per 10,000 / 300 children), and is the lowest reported since 2009-10. Although a steady decrease is being achieved the rate remains significantly higher than the rate among the council’s nearest statistical neighbours at the end of March 2015 (94.6) in the North East (82 per 10,000) and England (60 per 10,000). Regional benchmarking based on 2014- 15 year end shows that South Tyneside had the 3rd highest rate of looked after children in the North East after Sunderland (105) and Middlesbrough (113).
This figure needs to be considered in the context of the high number of children who are subject to child protection plans (193) at the end of 2015-16 and a rate of children subject to a plan (66.1 per 10,000) which is significantly higher than in England (42.9 per 10,000) and above the rate among statistical neighbours (63.7 per 10,000)
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126 children became looked after in 2015-16, a reduction on 2014-15 when the number was 130. 63% of children becoming looked after were male (79), an increase on 2014-15 when 54% were male and 46% female. 95.2% were White British. 73% (92) became looked after on a Section 20 and 27% (34) on a Full Care Order.
The most common age groups were children aged 10-15 (32%/40 children) and children aged under 1 (29%/36 children). The level of children aged under 1 becoming looked after (29%) is particularly high when compared with 2014-15 when
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55% of children became looked after for reasons of ‘Abuse or Neglect’ (down from 69% in 2014-15), followed by either ‘Family Dysfunction’ or ‘Family in Acute Stress’ both representing This shift in distribution of reasons brings South Tyneside closer to the picture seen in our statistical neighbours and reflects improved recording in this area.
2015-16 has seen more children leaving care than in the previous year; figures remain higher than statistical neighbours and the national average.
Children in Care March 2016
Under Under 1 to 4 5 to 9 10 to 15 16+ 10+ 1 10 South Tyneside (number) 15-16 23 37 55 123 51 115 174 South Tyneside (number) 14-15 15 47 66 119 53 128 172
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South Tyneside (%) 15-16 8.0 12.8 19.0 42.6 17.6 39.8 60.2 South Tyneside (%) 14-15 5.0 15.7 22.0 39.7 17.7 42.7 57.3 England (%) 15-16 6.0 17.0 20.0 37.0 21.0 43.0 58.0
Although the overall number of children in care has reduced there has been an increase in the number of older children in care, with 60.2% aged over 10 compared to 57.3% the previous year. There has also been an increase in the level of children under one in care, up to 8% at the end of 2015-16 from 5% in 2014-15.
Placements
March 2016 Placement Type 2015/16 % March 2015 March 2014 Number Fostered 212 73.4% 82.30% 78.90% Residential 37 12.8% 12% 11.30% Placed for Adoption 24 8.3% 2.70% 7.50% Placed with Parents 16 5.5% 1.70% 2.30%
The 12.8% of children in residential placements in March 2016 includes 2 children who were in a secure unit. There were more children placed for adoption and with parents than in recent years.
Children in Care and Ethnicity
91% of children in care in March 2015 were White British with 9% coming from Black and Minority Ethnic groups, the largest being Black/ Black British African at 4%. There was one unaccompanied asylum seeking children in 2015-16.
Placement Stability
The rate of short term placement instability (those with 3 or more placements within 12 months) at the end of March 2016 was provisionally 7.3%. Last year the percentage for the full year was 5% (3rd best in England) so the current performance is worse than in 2014/15 but is better than the national position in England (10%) and among statistical neighbours (9.3%).
Long term placement stability (the percentage of children who have been looked after in the same placement for at least 2 years) was provisionally 71% at the end of March 2016. This is level with year-end 2014-15 when the rate was 71%.
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This is better than our statistical neighbours of 68.8% from 2014-15 and also better than the national rate of 68%.
Children ceasing to be Looked After
136 children ceased to be looked after between April 2015 and March 2016. Children returning home to their family or relatives with parental responsibility were the main reason for children ending their period of care followed by Special Guardianship Order and Adoption.
19 children leaving care were adopted (14%), a reduction from 2014-15 (22%/30 children). However there are a large volume of adoption proceedings which were ongoing at the end of 2015-16. It is expected that these adoptions will occur in 2016-17 which will increase this measure.
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South South Reason Tyneside Tyneside Stat Neighbour (%) England (%) (%) 13-14 (%) 14-15
Total No. Adopted - total 24.1 22.0 20.1 16.6 Returned to live with parents or relatives 24.1 41.8 33.5 33.8 Residence Order Granted 10.3 0.0 10.0 5.6 Special Guardianship order - total 13.8 7.7 21.6 10.9 Independent Living (with supportive accom) 13.8 10.6 9.1 8.7 Independent Living (without supportive accom) 0.0 0.7 2.3 3.4 Transferred to residential care - 0.7 0.0 1.9 Sentenced to custody - 5.7 2.7 2.1 Other reasons 10.3 10.6 19.0 17.0
Health and Children in Care
The following sections relate to children who were in care in March 2016 and had been in care for at least 12 months. From the data it is apparent that there has been an improvement in terms of the completed development checks but that further work needs to be undertaken to improve the other areas. This Health Assessments of LAC is included within the LSCB Audit Cycle for 2016-17 in order to monitor this.
Health Assessments 2014-15 2015-16 Dev Checks required 29 26 Development checks completed 28 26 % Checks completed 96.6% 100.0%
Immunisation cohort 199 207 Immunisation up to date 189 194 % Immunisations up to date 95.0% 93.7%
Health assessments cohort 199 207 Health assessments up to date 199 205 % Health assessments up to date 100.0% 99.0%
Dental Cohort 199 207 Dental up to date 194 200 % Dental up to date 97.5% 96.6%
Substance misuse cohort 199 207 Identified 14 10 % substance misuse 7.0% 4.8% of identified, Receiving intervention 6 6 % Receiving intervention 42.9% 60.0% Of no intervention no. offered 8 4 % not receiving intervention but offered 57.1% 40.0%
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Emotional Wellbeing
SDQ Score cohort 177 186 No. with SDQ score 88 29 % with SDQ 49.7% 15.6%
Only 16% of children in care had a completed strengths and difficulties questionnaire, much lower than in 2014-15. The average SDQ score was 14.4.
SDQ Scores
Score Number Percentage Borderline 4 13.8% Concern 12 41.4% Normal 13 44.8% Grand Total 29 100.0%
Substance Misuse
Ten looked after children were identified as having a substance misuse problem within the year, a decrease of 4 from last year. These 10 children represent 7% of the cohort which is twice the national average. All the children were offered an intervention and 6 received one.
Custody
No children left care to go into custody in 2015-16.
The number of our children in care who have been convicted or cautioned in the year has seen a small reduction, 5 young people compared to 6 in 2014-15.
Children Who Are Privately Fostered
Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 (under 18 if disabled) is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a 'close relative'.
This is a private arrangement made between a parent and a carer, for 28 days or more. The Local Authority must be notified of these arrangements.
At the end of March 2016 the Local Authority was aware of 1 privately fostered child, a decrease from 2015 when the number reported was 2.
The reported numbers remain low despite the efforts of the Local Authority and the STSCB to raise awareness of the need to notify the Local Authority of these arrangements. The Local Authority has a Private Fostering Communication Strategy which addresses the key issue of awareness raising amongst the public, parents,
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Young People Who Offend or At Risk of Offending
The youth justice partnership continues to perform extremely well against the national targets of reducing first time entrants; reducing re-offending and keeping custodial sentences to a minimum. The number of first time entrants continues to decrease and the re-offending figure is extremely low. The YJS is commended by the Youth Justice Board as a competent and high performing service.
Children Who Are at Risk of Sexual Exploitation, Missing and/or Trafficking
Multi-agency work to identify children and young people who may be at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), missing and/or trafficking in South Tyneside is ongoing. This multi-agency work is coordinated by the Missing, Sexually Exploited and Trafficked (MSET) sub group.
There are particular concerns about the links between children running away and the risks of sexual exploitation and trafficking. Missing children may also be vulnerable to other forms of exploitation, violent crime or to drug and alcohol misuse.
There were 555 episodes of children reported missing relating to 178 children. This is a significant increase from 2014-15 where there were 75 incidents related to 23 children. This appears to suggest a greater awareness, understanding and impact of the training around CSE, missing and trafficking and the need to report missing children.
The analysis of the factors around missing episodes indicates that in the majority of cases the missing episodes are related to young people staying out with friends and not informing parents/carers and returning late rather than the efforts of exploiters tempting them to run away.
Missing Children Data April 2015 – March 2016 (see Appendix 5)
Incidents Young People Total Incidents 555 178 LAC 165 30 LAC Other Authority 89 9 CP 24 10 CIN 33 12 Other 244 117
The data indicates a number of young people go missing regularly. The analysis of the factors around missing episodes indicates that in the majority of cases episodes are brief and occur as a consequence of young people returning late or staying at
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The undertaking of Return Home Interviews continues to be a challenge. A number of initiatives have been put in place with some improvement in the compliance rate. (see Appendix 5).
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
In 2015-16 there were 52 cases of children considered at MSET as they were thought to be at risk of CSE, missing and/or trafficking. 62% (32 children) were female and 38% (20) were male. This is a change from 2014/15, when there were only 12 children and the split was 50/50 between the genders. This increase in referrals can be attributed to improved awareness.
Their ages ranged from 11-17 at referral to MSET. The most common age was 15 (13 clients). The full age profile is shown below.
This is a slight change from the position in 2014-15 when the children’s ages ranged from 12-17 and the most common age was 13 (4 clients).
The full breakdown of ages and genders is displayed below. All those children believed to be at risk under the age of 13 were female.
Age Female Male Total Aged 11 1 1 Aged 12 2 2 Aged 13 4 3 7 Aged 14 6 5 11 Aged 15 8 5 13 Aged 16 7 5 12 Aged 17 4 2 6 Grand Total 32 20 52
Ethnicity 94% of the children were White British and 6% BME as displayed below. In 2014-15 92% were White British.
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Ethnicity No. Children % Bangladeshi 1 2% Mixed - White Asian 1 2% White British 49 94% Mixed White and Black Caribbean 1 2% Grand Total 52 100%
Disability 8% of children (4 of 52) had a known disability. Two had ADHD and two had a Learning Disability. In 2014-15 25% of children had a disability (3 of 12) have ADHD and one had a Learning Disability.
In January 2014 Operation Sanctuary was launched by Northumbria Police. This is an ongoing investigation regarding allegations of a series of sexual offences involving a number of men and vulnerable female victims including teenagers and young adults.
Operation Encompass
In January 2016 South Tyneside launched Operation Encompass, a domestic abuse initiative, in partnership with the Police and Schools and Academies.
Schools and academies now receive a notification of any incident of domestic abuse involving or witnessed by a child the morning after the incident to enable them to monitor the child or make an offer of support if appropriate. The notifications come from the Police into our Contact and Referral Team and from there are sent directly to trained, key adults in schools and academies. Notifications are also sent to our Early Help Service, who collect responses from schools and follow up actions taken. All schools and academies have signed up to the initiative.
Feedback in the first three months of the initiative has been very positive. We will be able to provide a fuller analysis in next year’s report.
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CHAPTER 4 - GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY ARRANGEMENTS
The purpose and structure of the South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board is set out in Appendix 1
The LSCB has an independent chair and a number of subgroups chaired by a senior member from across the partner agencies. The Chair is accountable to the Chief Executive of the local authority in chairing the LSCB and overseeing its work programme. However, he is accountable only to the Board for the decisions he takes in that role. The role of Vice-Chair is undertaken by the Designated Nurse from the CCG.
Relationship between the LSCB and other strategic boards
The Board Structure can be found at Appendix 2
The Chair of the LSCB attends the Health and Well-Being Board, Children and Families Board and the Safeguarding and Education Panel. He meets regularly with the Chief Executive, the Director of Services, and the lead member for children. He is also a member of the local Leadership Group, bringing together Chief Executives or equivalent from the council, CCG, local trusts, Police, Probation and Community Rehabilitation Company. Several Board members sit on the Community Safety Partnership and this year stronger links have been made with the Safeguarding Adults Board.
The Board is attended by representatives from the partner agencies, with a high level of engagement.
Board membership can be found at Appendix 3. Information about Board attendance can be found at Appendix 4
Governance continues to be strengthened with regular reporting from sub-groups through to the Management group and the Executive Board. In order to ensure that the Board is in a strong position to control and monitor risks and fulfils its statutory obligation, the Risk Register is monitored and updated regularly at the Management group and approved by the Executive Board. The LSCB also maintains a Challenge Log, recording the challenges raised with multi-agency partners and the outcome of those challenges.
The structure of the LSCB and subgroups were revised in 2015/16. Meetings are now held on a quarterly basis with the exception of the Missing, Sexually Exploited and Trafficked group, Child Death Review group and the Learning and Improvement group.
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CHAPTER 5 - LSCB SUB GROUP UPDATES / CORE FUNCTIONS
Policy and Procedures
The aim of the Policy and Procedures sub group is to develop and maintain up to date policies and procedures for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in South Tyneside, in particular relating to the action to be taken where there are concerns about a child’s safety or welfare, and thresholds for intervention.
As a minimum, STSCB undertakes a review of its policies and procedures twice a year. Urgent updates emanating from SCRs, Inspections or changes in Government Policy are updated as and when required.
A sub regional consortium model in relation to safeguarding policies and procedures was developed between South Tyneside, Sunderland, Gateshead and Tri-x. This has led to the streamlining of policies and procedures as well as access to accepted generic policies across sub regional partners. The procedures are web-based, ensuring that they are a highly accessible tool for use by practitioners.
Any new or revised procedures are shared widely with staff through multi-agency and single agency information sharing events and the LSCB e-newsletters.
Workforce Development and Training
The Workforce Development and Training sub group aims to ensure that high quality multi-agency training is available on safeguarding policies, procedures and practices for those who work with children or in services that affect the safety of children. It advises the Board on how the workforce across all partners can be appropriately supported to deliver effective safeguarding practice.
STSCB has a key role in developing and supporting a learning culture across the partnership. All colleagues involved in safeguarding need to be empowered with up to date safeguarding knowledge and understanding in order to use their skills and expertise to exercise judgement in assessing need and risk and making the right response for children and families they work with.
The training offer is based on generic safeguarding topics as well as national directives around key issues such as FGM; Prevent; CSE etc.
STSCB provides free access to a wide range of safeguarding training for staff and volunteers across South Tyneside. The training is delivered at different levels of detail to address the particular needs of a diverse workforce.
The programme includes the e-learning offer with the opportunity to access eight different modules written and hosted by the Virtual College which offers CPD accreditation and a robust standardised assessment. These modules have been selected by the Workforce Development and Training Sub Group to meet the needs of the workforce following the identification of training needs. In 2015-2016 3587 people completed e-learning modules.
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There were 15 distinct face to face training sessions delivered, attended by a total of 2,495 multi-agency partners. In particular, this year the LSCB road shows have focused on specific issues and/or for specific groups of the workforce.
Evaluations of the multi-agency training were very positive, with 98% of learners stating the aims and learning outcomes had been met, 91% of learners rated the teaching as very good, 9% as good, indicating high quality delivery of training. The learners also commented on knowledge acquisition during the sessions rating themselves before and after the session.
Trainers are coordinated and supported by the STSCB Training and Development Officer, who ensures that the training is of high quality, including observation of teaching practice.
During the year the STSCB trainer left the post and there was a hiatus before a replacement was employed in April 2016. The training programme remained in place using the training pool with the support of the Workforce Development and Training Sub Group.
Performance Management and Evaluation (PME)
This sub group is responsible for establishing, coordinating, implementing and monitoring quality assurance activity and performance issues on a multi-agency basis.
The STSCB continued to develop a more robust and comprehensive dataset that is reported on within a quarterly cycle. Following feedback from the JTAI the performance framework will now include a more robust analysis of the data and information in order to explain performance outcomes and to inform and improve strategic partners’ understanding of those areas that require improvement.
The Board, through the PME sub group, initiated a number of audits and local studies to help improve our understanding of local need and practice. This included: 1. Audit work around cases related to looked after children out of borough missing episodes. The findings from this audit highlighted that were some inconsistencies in the Understanding of “absent” and “missing”; understanding of when a missing episode needs to be reported to the LSCB and the use of existing functionality in Liquid Logic. This issue was addressed immediately.
2. Domestic abuse with a key focus on multi-agency compliance in relation to the LSCB procedure and assessment tools. The findings from the audit identified that Domestic Abuse is clearly identified on agencies’ systems and that there is a consistent approach in the referral process between MARAC and the IDVA service. Inconsistencies were identified in the application of the South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board policy and procedure in particular reference to the use of the DASH RIC and Safety planning and in information sharing, particularly with health colleagues whose records from that particular audit exercise did not reflect the most up to date situation with families.
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The multi-agency Section 11 safeguarding audit indicated that the majority of the 7 safeguarding standards had been met by all participants, although the grading varied. A common issue that emerged for all was in relation to Private Fostering and the role and responsibilities of multi-agency partners. This has been addressed.
In addition single-agency audits have been scrutinised by the sub group and include the CCG Safeguarding audit report that highlighted that effective policies and procedures are in place with regard to safeguarding vulnerable adults and children and the Independent Reviewing Officer LAC Review audit which indicated that performance in terms of Looked After Children being reviewed within timescales has increased from 83% on time in 2014-5 to 91.8% (618/673) at the end of Quarter 4 2015-16.
Section 11 Audit
A section 11 audit was undertaken in the autumn of 2015.
The Section 11 audit was completed for the first time using an online audit tool with some positive results and feedback. There has been an improvement in the return rate compared to 2014-15. Key headline data was shared with the Management group and fed into the LSCB Audit Cycle 2016-17. Additional analysis of the audit will be provided via the S11 Assurance Events. The table below indicates the return rates for the Section 11 audit 2015.
2015 2014 2013 Return Return Return Agencies 100% 100% 100% Schools 100% 100% 60% GPs 100% 61% 0%
Not surprisingly, given the above figures, the majority of the respondents indicated that they assessed themselves as either grade 3 or grade 4 which would indicate a high level of compliance and embedding within individual organisations.
The validation process is essential to add value to the section 11 report as self- assessments can tend to be on the positive side. For example, the majority of agencies reported having robust arrangements in place regarding Private Fostering, however the evidence and further scrutiny highlighted that this is an area requiring improvement by the majority.
Learning and Improvement
The Learning and Improvement sub group is responsible for the local learning and improvement framework, the recommendations to the Independent Chair for Serious Case Reviews (SCRs) and contributing to the cycle of continuous improvement. A serious case is one where: a) abuse or neglect of a child is known or suspected; and
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Serious Case Reviews
The purpose of a Serious Case Review (SCR) is to establish whether there are lessons to be learnt from the case about the way in which local professionals and organisations worked together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
STSCB has also been committed to undertaking smaller scale multi-agency reviews for instances where the case does not meet the criteria for a SCR but it is considered that there are lessons for multi-agency working to be learnt.
During 2015-16 4 cases were brought to the attention of STSCB. Of these two SCR’s were commissioned:
SCR 1 – Child B: an 8 month old baby who suffered significant harm. This included a fractured femur, bruising to the face and neck and a number of healing rib fractures. The key learning included:
Bruising in babies who are not mobile is very rare and should prompt urgent advice and medical attention; The potential risk posed by a young inexperienced mother and an unsettled baby The need for professionals to give due regard to safeguarding policies and procedures The need for professionals to take a more holistic overview of a situation rather than just focus on one particular aspect
SCR 2 – Kevin (a pseudonym): a 16 year old young person who suffered malnourishment and self – neglect. Kevin underwent emergency surgery and further investigations determined the likelihood of Crohn’s Disease (an inflammatory chronic disease of the bowel). Surgery was considered a lifesaving necessity. Key learning included:
The signs and indicators of self-neglect within adolescent The use of the Mental Capacity Act in cases involving adolescents who refuse to seek medical attention The need for professional curiosity when faced with difficult families
Both of these serious case reviews have been concluded and the reports published on the LSCB website.
The LSCB takes its responsibilities seriously to ensure that lessons learnt from case reviews are disseminated and embedded into frontline practice and used to support improvements across agencies.
Four multi-agency Learning Events have taken place in relation to SCR 1. These events engaged with 220 professionals.
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Key themes from the evaluations include; the need to embed and promote the Bruising in non-mobile babies pathway across organisations; challenging professionals and difficult families’ improvement in multi-agency communication.
The LSCB Training programme for 2014/17 has incorporated key aspects of practitioners’ feedback and has informed further sessions.
Child Death Review
The Child Death Review sub group is responsible for ensuring the South of Tyne and Wear Child Death Review and Overview procedures are implemented following the death of any child or young person for whom South Tyneside was the normal place of residence with a view to reducing preventable deaths.
The sub group works alongside similar bodies in Gateshead and Sunderland and all three report to the South of Tyne & Wear Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP). The overview panel is accountable to all three LSCBs and produces an Annual Report. The process has identified some important areas of learning, most notably the identification of modifiable factors when reviewing local deaths;
Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood (SUDIC) – where smoking, co-sleeping, and/or alcohol & drug use were noted. Unsafe sleeping environments – infants being put to sleep in car seats, on sofas etc. Smoking – increased risk of premature deliveries and SUDIC Obesity – increased risk of premature deliveries and obstetric complications
The Designated Doctor for Child Death Review has developed a positive collaborative working relationship with the local Paediatric Pathologist to ensure parents are at the earliest opportunity given medical feedback as to the cause of their child’s death and for them to have the environment in which to ask specific questions. Whilst there have been no specific ‘themes’ identified in South Tyneside the local review group are always sighted on regional and national issues.
In 2015-2016 there were 6 South Tyneside child death reviews completed, none of which had modifiable factors identified.
Missing, Sexually Exploited and Trafficked (MSET)
The Missing, Sexually Exploited and Trafficked (MSET) Group is responsible for coordinating and ensuring the effectiveness of local arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people who go missing and those children and young people who may be at risk of sexual exploitation and/or trafficking.
To embed the preventative work around Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), South Tyneside has additional support from a designated Police Officer who is the missing from home coordinator and a worker from Safeguarding Children at Risk Prevention and Action, (SCARPA). Both workers have a remit to provide support to children and young people who go missing or are at risk of sexual exploitation
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The sub group gathers information on the range of factors that have led to children and young people running away and putting them at risk of potential exploitation. Key to this is the process of Return Home Interviews, at which young people have the opportunity to share their concerns or reasons for running away.
STSCB continues to lead on and work with Northumbria Police and colleagues in Gateshead and Sunderland to deliver on the sub-regional strategy on Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). It is designed to support the development and coordination of systems and services across South Tyneside, Sunderland and Gateshead with a view to ensuring that our approach to CSE is proactive and comprehensive.
In order to support schools and the local college, and more importantly to raise the awareness around sexual exploitation with young people, the LSCB commissioned ‘Chelsea’s Choice’ – a hard hitting, drama production that has proven highly successful in raising awareness amongst young people of the issues surrounding Child Sexual Exploitation. Over 1700 local young people, 95 multi-agency professionals and 27 local parents/carers watched Chelsea’s Choice.
Key CSE resources continue to go into every school, and staff briefings on CSE; missing and trafficked staff have been undertaken in primary and secondary schools across the borough.
The STSCB has reviewed the strategic CSE group to ensure that there is appropriate senior representation in order that appropriate challenge and scrutiny can be applied to the local CSE Strategy and action plan. Due to the inclusion of the Safeguarding Adult Board the group is now called the Sexually Exploited Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Strategic Group.
Through collaborative sub regional working a successful bid was submitted to the Police and Crime Commissioner for funding to support a regional CSE Conference in October 2015. The conference was a great success with over 470 delegates from around the region. Key speakers included Vera Baird the Police and Crime Commissioner; Zoe Loderick - psychotherapist; Mike Hand – National Working Group; a group of local young people the SCARPA Squad; Gateshead Police Cadets and Northumbria Police. The event was chaired by the STSCB Independent Chair
There was significant involvement from South Tyneside Council with other councils and agencies across the country to mark National CSE day in March 2015. Lead Members, Council Officers and young people from the Youth Parliament and the FAB Junior LSCB all wrote pledges on their hands in support of the #Helping Hands Campaign.
Working with the largest of the three Mosques in South Tyneside the STSCB has delivered focused CSE Awareness raising session to both the male and female members of the Mosque. This has subsequently led to planned and agreed information sessions with some of the young people of the Mosque.
The CSE awareness raising literature has been adapted at the request of the Mosque committee to include an image of a young female wearing the hijab. The
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committee felt it important that the wider Muslim community recognise CSE could and can target all groups of young people despite race, culture or religion.
A number of specific CSE Awareness raising events with the local business community have commenced. The taxi trade are the first business to be involved. The response to the planned events planned was very positive. In total there has been a 94% attendance from the drivers. The remaining 4% are no longer in the taxi trade but have been notified of the requirement should they wish to renew their license in the future. In addition to the drivers there was also attendance from 44 Booking Clerks.
Northumbria Police have reported a 52% increase in calls from the Taxi Trade following the CSE Awareness Raising sessions. The nature of the calls has also improved with the addition of key vulnerability and risk factors being identified.
South Tyneside, in partnership with Rochdale, Oldham, Calderdale and Oxfordshire Councils, commissioned the GW Theatre Company to develop an appropriate drama production to raise the awareness of CSE with children aged 10-12 yrs. The need for a play aimed at younger children occurred because it is widely known that children as young as 11 and younger are targeted by abusers. In addition to the play there have also been resources for teachers to use pre and post the shows with the children. The drama production is called Mister Shapeshifter.
Mister Shapeshifter is an exciting, very contemporary fairy tale for 11-12 year olds about the ways some adults abuse the trust children put in them and how children can protect themselves.
The play has been seen by three primary schools in South Tyneside with more planned performances in the autumn term.
The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
Significant work has been progressed around awareness raising with partners of the role of the LADO.
From April 2015 to April 2016, there were a total of 60 LADO Strategy Meetings in relation to 31 individuals; comparable to the figures for 2014-15
Referral Source: The information below shows where referrals to the LADO originated. It is important as it demonstrates that the procedures are being adhered to across the partnership.
Referral from Number 2014/15 2015/16 Schools 8 3 Police 2 3 Ofsted 4 1 Children’s Social Care 6 9 Children’s Service (other than Social Care) 5 9 Youth Justice, Children’s Centres
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Parents/community 2 1 Sports/leisure 4 0 Housing 1 1 Health 0 1 H R 0 1 Colleges 0 1 Commissioning 0 1 1 Total 32 31
Categories of Concern: The breakdown of allegations into abuse categories allows us to understand key patterns and highlights the types of issues we may need to focus on in workforce development. The figures for 2015-16 show an increase in the number of cases referred for physical abuse and professional misconduct and a reduction in sexual and neglect related categories of concern. However, it is important to understand that the categories reflect referred concerns rather than outcomes. So whilst there has been an increase in concern regarding physical abuse compared to recent years, on investigation these cases often reflect accidental harm or harm that remains unsubstantiated. There are also a significant number of concerns based on lifestyle/ professional misconduct issues; in these cases there has been no alleged abuse and the meeting was held to address general concerns arising from a person’s behaviour whether at or away from work.
2014 /15 2015/16 Sexual 8 5 Physical 10 12 Neglect/practice standards 3 1 Emotional 3 3 / Professional misconduct 8 10
Outcomes: The outcomes categories below reflect those identified in Safeguarding Children in Education. In some cases there is more than one allegation to address and where at least one of the allegations have been found to be substantiated then this is counted as such in the table below.
Outcome Number of staff Number of staff 2014 -15 2015-16 Substantiated 9 17 Unsubstantiated 15 8 False 4 2 Malicious 0 1 Ongoing cases 4 3 Total 32 31
The outcomes show that the threshold for initiating LADO strategy meetings is appropriate with only 2 cases concluding as false. There has been a decrease in the number of unsubstantiated cases. Case outcomes are defined as unsubstantiated
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Through a range of ongoing multi-agency events organised by the LSCB the LADO has had significant input to increase the awareness and knowledge around the role of the LADO and the referral process. Use of the STSCB newsletter and website has been used as methods to disseminate the role of the LADO. In addition the LADO has undertaken some direct work with multi-agency organisations.
The Junior LSCB (Cool Kids Crew)
The Junior LSCB is an advisory group of young people who feed into the STSCB. They joined forces with Friends Against Bullies, making a ‘SUPER GROUP!’ They meet up every fortnight and discuss/work on a range of safeguarding issues that matter to them as young people. These issues have included:
Blue Monday
The third Monday in January is known as Blue Monday, it is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year. We decided to join in with other South Tyneside youth groups to collect 500 hours of good deed hours to cheer people up. We talked about what we could do to help people we know and then made origami hearts and small cards, we wrote messages in them and handed them out to our friends, family and workers in the Town Hall on Monday 18th January.
Safer Internet Day On February 9, Safer Internet Day, everyone was being asked to 'play your part and share a heart'. The day was about people thinking about what they post and say on the internet and about what impact their posts can have on others, helping to create a better and safer online community. We tried some of the activities out that were suggested online and decided which ones we thought would be good for other groups to try. We then wrote out to all the youth activity workers and asked them to do the activities with the young people in their evening sessions. We have created a display board which is on display at Simonside Climbing Wall.
Holiday Hunger During school holidays lots of families struggle to find money for meals that children would normally get at school for free. We decided to hold an event during the summer holidays to raise awareness of 'Holiday Hunger' amongst Services for Young People staff who run youth clubs and other sessions for young people across the borough. We want to encourage them to find ways of providing food at any activities they run during school holidays. Over 50 young people attended the event and enjoyed
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FAB Awards YOU!
FAB Awards You! is an award ceremony where schools and groups nominate themselves for an award for the work they've done on bullying. We hold the awards every November and 2015 was the 6th year we have held them. We had the most groups ever nominate and attend the Award ceremony held at Boldon School. There were 11 primary schools, 4 secondary schools, 1 SEN School and 3 community groups involved. Everyone had so much to say that we ended up going over time but we were happy to see so many people there, talking about what they had been doing and we heard lots of people say they were going away with ideas for new work.
Making a Stand against Bullies In support of the International Stand up to Bullying Day which encourages people to sign up and wear a pink T-shirt in support of anti-bullying work. The group decided to get creative and go even bigger than last year. Each member of the group took a piece of pink fabric into their school or around their families and friends, asking them to sign it to pledge to stand up to bullying, they then stitched the pieces together to make a giant t-shirt and took it to Jarrow Town Hall to ask Cllr Atkinson to join the campaign. One member also took it along to an LSCB Executive Board meeting to ask everyone attending to sign and show their support too.
The South Tyneside Festival The FAB Junior LSCB joined forces with South Tyeside Young Peoples Parliament (STYPP) and took part in the South Tyneside Festival, this year it had an Alice in Wonderland theme. It was a great way to advertise our group and also to continue building a relationship with STYPP.
French Exchange Visit and Fundraising Event Four members of FAB Junior LSCB were invited to be part of an exchange visit to our twin town Epinay. They joined young people from MAGIC (Children in Care Council) and STYPP for a week in France. During the week the joined in lots of actvities with other young people from France, Germany and Italy. When they got back they helped STYPP organise a fundraising and celebration event, to share photos tell others about their trip.They received certificates from the Mayor. All the money raised went to the Percy Hudson Fund, which supports exchange visits.
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Healthy Weight and Lifestyles Consultation Work was being done in the borough to look at childhood obesity and promoting a healthy weight, as part of this young people from the group took part in a workshop /discussion with public health. This was an opportunity to offer their views about health services and what would work well, what could be improved.
Priorities - Bullying, Mental Health and Relationship Work Over the last year several of the older members have become members of Youth Parliament, so although they don’t come to all the sessions they still support the group. We have had some new members join though so numbers are still good. To make sure everyone understands the work and feels involved in the group they have been doing workshops and activities. During these they have looked at bullying and the different ways it happens, they have started to learn about mental health and think about healthy relationships. The group decided to create a list of subjects they think are most important to keep young people safe. Staying safe online, mental health (including stress and pressure at exam/assessment time) and healthy relationships (with parents, friend, boyfriends, girlfriends…) came out as their top three.
Thurston School Council Residential Members of the group took part in a weekend of activities and work at Thurston as part of a Borough Wide School Council Event. Over the last academic year school council members and other consultation groups have met at three events organised by the South Tyneside Young People’s Parliament (STYPP) to do work on the theme of poverty. There was a final weekend away which was a reward for their work but also the start of planning for STYPP’s new theme. Members of FAB Junior LSCB were part of this and had a great time meeting everyone.
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Chapter 6 - Board Effectiveness and Challenge
With the appointment of the new Independent Chair the opportunity was taken to revise the structure and streamline some of the subgroups. The LSCB has successfully combined some of the work of the Board with the Safeguarding Adults Board in order to improve the integration of the safeguarding agenda across the age ranges and to increase the effectiveness our work. We have also taken the opportunity to strengthen our sub regional working with the introduction of the sub regional consortium for safeguarding children policies and procedures.
Board members report positively upon the impact of the work of the Board on the practice and policies within their own agencies. This is clearly identified from the examples of partnership work around Child Sexual Exploitation and the commitment of Board partners to comply with the Board’s decision to make CSE training mandatory for those partners who work directly with children and young people. This was also a positive area of work cited in the Joint Targeted Area inspection.
The Chair provides regular challenge to individual agencies: such challenges are often made in accordance with the Board’s agreed approach of identifying and praising positive practice and seeking to avoid publicly naming and shaming any weaknesses in practice. Examples of such challenge include discussions with key partners in terms of their commitment to the Multi-agency Allocations Team resulting in full sign up of the missing partners; discussions with a key partner in terms of their compliance rate for safeguarding training and the challenge raised around secure accommodation from both a local and regional perspective.
The Board also holds a Risk register. This identifies the key areas of concerns held by the partnership, the measures taken to reduce the risk and the impact this has made. An example of this is the identification of the lack of timeliness for LAC health reviews and the implications that this could have. A number of SMART actions were identified which included ensuring that the timeliness and effectiveness of the LAC health reviews are included in the 2016 /17 audit cycle.
Overall, the Board considers itself to be broadly effective, providing challenge and scrutiny across partners and actively encouraging partnership working. It has more to do to improve the collation and analysis of multi-agency performance data and information.
South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2015/16 Page 40 (Final – Aug 2016)
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CHAPTER 7 - How Safe are our Children and Young People?
It is never possible to say categorically that all children are safe. However, external scrutiny of our services within South Tyneside suggests that our services are at least as good as most other areas, and in some cases better. This is no mean achievement, since the authority scores highly on most deprivation indexes, and all the public services have faced very severe reductions in funding.
We know that South Tyneside schools are almost all rated good or outstanding, and this plays an important part in keeping children safe. Good schools are normally safe schools, and schools play a vital role in helping children learn how to keep themselves safe, as well as providing us with a great opportunity to check on how children are doing.
We know too that many of the child health indicators in South Tyneside are worrying; our rates of childhood obesity, early death, smoking in children, smoking amongst expectant mothers, and hospital admissions for injuries, are all high.
The safeguarding data within this report shows some encouraging trends. Although we have seen an increase in referrals, it is lower than the national rate of increase, and we have seen improvements in the timeliness of our assessments. Numbers of children entering care, and on child protection plans, have both reduced, though they are still higher than average. Children in care experience better placement stability than most places. Our responses to Child Sexual Exploitation and to children missing are now good.
Our external inspection threw up some issues for us, but painted a broadly positive picture. More importantly, partners have responded vigorously to the challenges presented to them, and the partnership itself has been strengthened through the process.
In the year ahead all Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards will be facing change, as the government introduces new legislation changing the statutory requirements. Partners across South Tyneside have been discussing the options, and we are confident we will have a robust and effective set of processes in place to respond to the new changes.
All partners are facing changes – reorganisations, budget reductions, changes of focus. Change brings the risk that the eye might veer off the ball of child protection. STSCB is committed to ensuring that all partners stay focussed, and that we continue to work effectively together to keep the children of South Tyneside safe.
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CHAPTER 8: STSCB’S PRIORITIES FOR 2016-19
Following multi-agency discussion, consultation and analysis of the actions on the LSCB Business Plan, it was agreed that the original 5 key priorities would be reduced from 5 to 4 for 2016-19. The remaining priorities were considered still relevant, with some amendments to actions and outcomes. These are reflected in the revised STSCB Business Plan for 2016-19.
The 4 key priorities are:
Priority 1: Develop the influence and local Impact of the Local Safeguarding Children Board
Working Together 2015, the Ofsted framework for the review of LSCB’s and the Joint Targeted Area Inspection Framework have all clearly identified the increased expectation on LSCBs to have in place effective multi-agency working arrangements to ensure children and young people are safeguarded. The LSCB will support, challenge and hold agencies to account for their contribution and effectiveness to the safety and protection of children and young people.
Priority 2: Develop a strong multi-agency quality and performance framework
To enable the LSCB to monitor, challenge and hold agencies to account in terms of their safeguarding practice the LSCB requires a strong multi-agency performance and quality framework. This will enable the LSCB to apply rigour to thematic audits, multiagency data and reports. This rigorous approach will provide a thorough and robust analysis and evaluation of local performance that will influence and inform the planning and delivery of high-quality services for children young people and their families.
Priority 3: Develop a greater understanding of the local safeguarding risk areas and to take appropriate action to reduce risk taking behaviours
The LSCB has identified a number of local safeguarding concerns following multi- agency discussions, analysis of data, and learning from serious case reviews, local and national concerns:
Child Sexual Exploitation, Missing and Trafficked Neglect Domestic Abuse ( given that there were 1,594 domestic abuse incidents involving children in 2015/16) Emotional Wellbeing and mental health issues for young people Young people with disabilities and learning difficulties Keeping children safe within the faith and voluntary sector
The risk taking behaviour by adults also impacts on the safeguarding of children and young people. The consequences of the risk taking behaviours of adults who are often parents, can lead to circumstances of neglect. A greater local understanding is required of how effective adult mental health services and drug and alcohol services consider the impact on children when their parents or carers have mental ill health
South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2015/16 Page 42 (Final – Aug 2016)
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Priority 4: Enhance learning and improvement – to positively influence multi- agency safeguarding practice
“Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015” notes that staff and organisations need to reflect on the quality of their services and learn from their own practice and that of others. Learning should be shared and generated from a variety of means.
A well trained workforce is of paramount importance in order to safeguard children and young people and support their families. All multi-agency partners must feel confident in their decision making and their ability to recognise and respond appropriately to a variety of safeguarding situations.
The STSCB is required to ensure that sufficient, high-quality multi-agency training is available and evaluates its effectiveness and impact on frontline practice and the experiences of children, young people, families and carers.
South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2015/16 Page 43 (Final – Aug 2016)
Appendix 1 – South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board This document has been classified as: Not Protectively Marked
What is the South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board?
South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board (STSCB) is the key statutory mechanism for agreeing how the relevant organisations in South Tyneside will cooperate and work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and for ensuring that this work is effective.
STSCB was established in compliance with The Children Act 2004 (section 13) and The Local Safeguarding Children Boards Regulations 2006.
The work of STSCB during 2015/16 was governed by the statutory guidance in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015, which sets out how organisations and individuals should work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, and the Local Safeguarding Children Board Regulations 2006 which sets out the functions of Local Safeguarding Children Boards.
Our Objective
To co-ordinate and ensure the effectiveness of what is done by each agency on the Board for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in South Tyneside.
We aim to do this in two ways:
Coordinating local work by; o Developing robust policies and procedures o Participating in the planning of services for children in South Tyneside o Communicating the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and explaining how this can be done
Ensuring the effectiveness of that work by; o Monitoring what is done by partner agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children o Undertaking SCRs and other multi-agency case reviews and sharing learning opportunities o Collecting and analysing information about child deaths o Publishing an annual report on the effectiveness of local arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in South Tyneside
Organisation of South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board
The Board meets six times during the year and has a membership made up of representatives from all statutory partners and others concerned with safeguarding children.
Board Membership
Independent Chair 2 Lay Members CAFCASS (Children and Family Courts Advisory and Support Service
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National Probation Service NHS England (North East) Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust Northumbria Community Rehabilitation Company Northumbria Police Representation from both Primary and Secondary Schools Representation from the Voluntary Sector (Barnardo’s) South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) South Tyneside College South Tyneside Council including: - The Lead Member for Children’s Services - Children and Families Social Care - Public Health - Community Safety - Education, Learning and Skills South Tyneside Homes South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust South Tyneside Youth Justice Service
The Board and its sub groups continue to experience good attendance with representation across Board partners, lay members, voluntary sector and the involvement of other agencies and groups.
STSCB Structure
STSCB has a three tier structure. The Executive is the senior decision-making partnership body; it sets the strategic direction of the Board and agrees its priorities. It has responsibility for agreeing and ratifying key processes and procedures including SCRs. The Executive is led by an Independent Chairperson who does not work for any agency represented on the Board.
The first tier of the Board is made up of 7 standing sub groups. These groups undertake the Board’s business on a daily basis. The work of the sub groups is overseen by the middle tier of the structure, the Management Group. This ensures that sub groups are fulfilling their responsibility and that the work of the subgroups interlinks where appropriate. STSCB structure is set out in Appendix 2.
Key Roles
Independent Chairperson
The Board is led by an Independent Chair, ensuring a continued independent voice for the Board. The Independent Chair, Sir Paul Ennals has been in post since September. The Chair is accountable to the Chief Executive of South Tyneside Council, who will hold the Chair to account for the effective working of STSCB. The Chair must publish an annual report on the effectiveness of child safety and promoting the welfare of children in the local area in line with the requirements of Working Together 2015. The Chair is subject to an annual appraisal and performance review and an evaluation by partner agencies.
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Local Authority
South Tyneside Council is responsible for establishing a Local Safeguarding Children Board in their area and ensuring that it runs effectively.
The Lead member for Children and Young People is a member of STSCB and is required to attend the Executive as a ‘participant observer’ and is not part of the decision making process.
The Director of Children’s Services ensures that all Local Authority services engage effectively with STSCB. The Director is held to account for the effective working of the LSCB by the Chief Executive and challenged where appropriate by the Lead member.
Partner Agencies
Membership of STSCB Executive Board can be seen at Appendix 2. The LSCB reports twice a year to the People’s Select Committee where members of that committee have the opportunity to both challenge and ask questions about the effectiveness of the Board’s activities.
2015/16 Budget
In 2015/16 STSCB received an annual income of £115,650. This was made up of agency contributions of which the contribution from the Council accounted for nearly two thirds. Working Together 2015 makes clear the expectation that all partners will contribute resources appropriately to the work of the LSCB. In addition to financial contributions key partners such as secondary schools made a financial contribution to the commissioning of Chelsea’s Choice, Children and Families Social Care made significant contributions to the Safeguarding Trainer’s post and the development of the primary school paly around CSE. Some partners played a key role in the delivery of the LSCB face to face training. Of the 7 sub-groups 5 are chaired by non- council staff. The Youth Justice Service provides the accommodation for the LSCB.
A budget statement for 2015/16 is included in Appendix 6
South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2015/16 Page 46 (Final – Aug 2016)
Appendix 2 – STSCB Structure 2015/16 This document has been classified as: Not Protectively Marked Health and Wellbeing LSCB Executive Board Children and Families Board (Quarterly with one full Planning Day) Board
LSCB Management Group Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults (Quarterly) Sexual Exploitation Strategic Group (Quarterly)
Children/young people with complex needs and disabilities to be considered throughout all sub groups
Policy and South Tyneside Child Death Learning and Workforce Performance, Procedures Missing, Sexually Overview Panel/ Improvement Development and Management and (Quarterly) Exploited and Local Child Death (Quarterly) Training Evaluation Trafficked (MSET) Review Panel (Bi-monthly) (Quarterly) (Monthly) (Quarterly)
To include a standing Ensuring To cover developing To develop Ensuring effective Links to the Learning Serious Case Review safeguarding training a performance safeguarding policies arrangements to and Improvement Panel to be convened needs are identified framework, assessing and procedures, taking safeguard children and Sub Group when necessary and and met within the and analysing into account sub young people who go
cover Case context of indicators, cycle for regional and national missing and are at risk Undertakes reviews Reviews/audit local/national policy performance work of sexual exploitation of all child deaths for programmes etc and practice reporting South Tyneside and Ensure agreement, developments links to the South of Develop a learning understanding and
Tyne & Wearside culture, monitor the compliance of To link closely with Child Death multi agency audit safeguarding policies the Council’s Overview Panel programme and and procedures across Children, Adults and (CDOP) contribute to a cycle of the partnership Families Workforce continuous improvement Strategy group and Also responsible for similar groups across Licensing Act 2003 Link to SOTW Child the partnership Death Overview Panel
Communication/ To be led by STSCB Business Manager. This group will be convened on an ad hoc basis when necessary
Participation/ and could cover: Awareness Inclusion of schools and Junior LSCB Task and Finish Third sector and community engagement Group Newsletter and website South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report Awareness 2015/16 raising and marketing Page 47 Key(Final: – Aug 2016) Line of Communication Two Way Line of Communication Ensuring links with other groups
Appendix 3: STSCB Executive Board This document has been classified as: Not Protectively Marked
Agency Representative Independent Sir Paul Ennals, Independent Chair Shobha Srivastava, Lay Member Mohammed Abuzahra, Lay Member Barnardo's Rod Weston Bartholomew, Assistant Director Children's Services CAFCASS Tom Rice, Service Manager National Probation Service Karin O'Neil, Head of Offender Management NHS England Emma Nunez, Deputy Director Nursing, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear Gary O’Hare NHS Trusts Northumbria Community Martyn Strike, Head of Offender Management Rehabilitation Company Marine Park Primary School Alison Burden, Head Teacher Northumbria Police Lisa Orchard , Detective Superintendent Schools Alison Burden, Head Teacher (Primary) Allyson Poole, Service Manager (Secondary) South Tyneside College Alexander , South Tyneside College, Head of Student Services, Support and Learner Engagement South Tyneside Council, Children, John Pearce, Corporate Director Children, Adults and Adults and Families Group Families Shona Gallagher, Head of Children and Families Social Care Cllr Joan Atkinson, Lead Member Children’s Services South Tyneside Council, Dave Owen, Area Crime and Justice Coordinator Community Safety South Tyneside Council, Peter Cutts, Head of Education Learning and Skills Education South Tyneside Council, Public Amanda Healey, Director of Public Health Health South Tyneside Council, Pam Vedhara, Service Manager Early Help and Youth Specialist Youth Support Service Justice South Tyneside Clinical Carol Drummond, Head of Safeguarding Commissioning Group Ann Fox, Director of Nursing Quality and Safety South Tyneside Homes Theresa Amour, Head of Housing South Tyneside NHS Foundation Sunil Gupta, Designated Doctor/Consultant Trust Paediatrician Bob Brown, Executive Director of Nursing and Patient Safety Safeguarding Children Board Jackie Nolan, STSCB Business Manager (Advisors) Mike Hackett, Safeguarding Manager/LADO
South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2015/16 Page 48 (Final – Aug 2016)
Appendix 4 – Board Attendance This document has been classified as: Not Protectively Marked
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The Training Sub Group was merged with the SAB Training Sub Group at the end of 2015 – the chart above shows only the attendance for the LSCB Sub Group prior to the merger South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2015/16 Page 51 (Final – Aug 2016)
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* Representation at MSET was reviewed in December 2015 and the following organisations are now part of the group – all have regular representation but are not included in the graph as the percentage attendance over the year would not show a true picture
Bright Futures South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust (LAC Nurse) South Tyneside Council, Regulatory Services Young People’s Advisory Service
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Appendix 5: Missing Children/Return Home Interview Data This document has been classified as: Not Protectively Marked
Missing Children Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar No of Incidents 62 63 57 47 43 43 67 49 28 27 6 20 No of Young People 38 33 29 29 19 26 36 37 20 22 5 9 No of LAC 7 9 9 8 9 10 9 13 6 5 0 1 No of CP 2 2 2 2 0 0 2 2 0 2 1 2 No of CIN 5 1 3 2 2 3 3 1 0 1 0 1 Other 24 21 14 17 8 13 22 33 23 19 5 16
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Return Home Interviews Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Proformas Required 23 22 23 13 18 12 31 17 12 9 5 11 Proformas Received 21 8 15 10 8 9 15 9 6 5 1 6
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In addition the criterion was changed at the end of January 2016 to distinguish between Absent and Missing Children and Young People:
Absent: “A person not at a place where they are expected or required to be” A child will be defined as absent if the following criteria are met: a) The child/young person has deliberately or carelessly absented themselves; and b) There is an apparent explanation for them going absent on this occasion; AND c) The child/young person is expected to return; AND d) The child/young person is not expected to suffer or cause harm whilst absent; AND e) The level of risk does not justify police intervention at this time.
Missing: A child/young person will be defined as missing if their whereabouts cannot be established and: a) the circumstances are out of character; or b) the context suggests the child may be: - the subject of crime; or - at risk of harm to themselves or another
South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2015/16 Page 55 (Final – Aug 2016)
Appendix 6: STSCB Budget This document has been classified as: Not Protectively Marked
LSCB 2015-16
Contributions Council Budget 63,451 Dedicated Schools Grant 30,000 Clinical Commissioning Partner Contribution 25,000 Group Gateshead Council Contribution to CSE Conference 587 Gateshead Council Sub Regional Procedures 500 Sunderland Council Sub Regional Procedures 500 Northumbria Police Partner Contribution 5,000 Northumbria Police PCC Funding 4,500 Chelsea’s Choice 2,000 Contributions CAFCASS Partner Contribution 550 South Tyneside College Partner Contribution 500 South Tyneside Homes Partner Contribution 500 Innovation Funding 30,000 Training Income 11,650 TOTAL INCOME 174,738
Expenditure Staffing Costs 80,838 Staff Advertising New Independent Chair 1,690 Staff Training E-Learning/Venues/Previous Trainer Costs 28,507 Independent Chair/SCRs/Child Death Consultancy 37,092 Review Coordinator Letting Of Other Premises Room Hire 4,881 Furniture and Equipment CSE Conference / Fobs 3,372 Other Services Contracts and Partner Contribution 147 Supplies Printing and Stationery PCC Funding 960 Criminal Records Bureau 44 Fee Subscriptions Children and Young People Now 35 Section 11 Audit Tool and Self- Software 17,150 Registration Telephone Expenses 22 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 174,738 End Position -0
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LSCB 2016-17
Contributions Council Budget 65,000 Dedicated Schools Grant 30,000 Clinical Commissioning Partner Contribution 25,000 Group Northumbria Police Partner Contribution 5,000 CAFCASS Partner Contribution 550 Northumbria Probation Partner Contribution Service and Community 741 Rehabilitation Company South Tyneside College Partner Contribution 500 South Tyneside Homes Partner Contribution 500 Chelsea’s Choice 2,000 Contributions Gateshead and Sub Regional Procedures 7,000 Sunderland School Safeguarding SLA 35,000 Training Safeguarding Adults Board Contribution to Training Post 17,000 Training Income 7,000 TOTAL INCOME 195,291
Expenditure (Forecast) Staffing Costs 123,300 Independent Chair/SCRs/Child Death Consultancy 38,500 Review Coordinator E-learning/Section 11/Self- Staff Training 15,500 Registration/Chelsea’s Choice Sub Regional Room Hire 10,500 Safeguarding Procedures Letting of Other Premises Room Hire 5,500 Printing and Stationary 1,000 Travel/ Conferences 860 Subscriptions Children and Young People Now 131 TOTAL EXPENDITURE (Forecast Spend) 195,291
South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2015/16 Page 57 (Final – Aug 2016)