Windsor and Maidenhead Safeguarding Children Board

Title: Children’s Safeguarding Standards for Commissioning

Person Responsible for the Report: Terry Rich, Independent Chair

Purpose of Report: This report is to establish the safeguarding standards that the Safeguarding Children Board requires all commissioners of services to adhere to.

Recommendation: That the Board agrees the six elements of safeguarding as an essential component of commissioning contracts.

Detail: Many of the services provided for children and young people are not directly provided by the statutory members of the Board, but are commissioned by these statutory members. The requirement by these commissioned services to adhere to section 11 (duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children) of the Children Act, 2004 is a requirement by proxy through the statutory agency commissioning the service. Guidance on the compliance with the section 11 duty is provided in Working Together to Safeguard Children Chapter 2: Organisational Responsibilities.

It has been made clear during the section 11 challenge and support meeting with statutory agencies that their commission processes should include safeguarding in the in commissioning process. Agreement by the Board to the following elements of safeguarding is intended to support the current commissioning arrangements and to provide consistency from the Board to all its agencies on the elements of safeguarding to include in the commissioning contracts. The required elements are:

1. Requirement to adhere to Berkshire Safeguarding Children Procedures

2. Requirement to ensure all relevant staff receive appropriate safeguarding training

3. Requirement to follow safer recruitment processes

4. Requirement to follow procedures for allegations against staff

5. Requirement to contribute to serious case reviews as required

6. Requirement to nominate a strategic lead for safeguarding children

LSCB Commissioning Standards Version 2 Sept 2014 These standards can then be used to monitor compliance with the contract and provide a basis for establishing the commissioned service effectiveness in safeguarding children.

LSCB Commissioning Standards Version 2 Sept 2014