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Issue - meetings

MBC Safeguarding Policy

Meeting: 12/02/2019 - Communities, Housing and Environment Committee (Item 165)

165 MBC Safeguarding Policy pdf icon PDF 75 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Mr Matt Roberts, Community Partnerships & Resilience Manager, informed the Committee that the Maidstone Borough Council Safeguarding Policy had been updated to incorporate the Kent Support Levels process and integrated Front Door Service for Children’s Social Care.  A section had been included regarding missing children, as those that went missing were at an increased risk of being groomed.  The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, commonly referred to as Clare’s Law, was referenced in the policy to raise awareness of the scheme.  Furthermore, the introduction of Safeguarding Champions had led to an improved awareness of mental health issues and better understanding of guidance relating to suicide prevention.  It was stated that the post of Member Safeguarding Champion was currently vacant. 

 

The Committee commented that safeguarding was a responsibility for everyone, however, it was beneficial to have a Champion role in order to ensure that Councillors with safeguarding concerns had a point of contact to seek advice and guidance.  Furthermore, there was an opportunity for this Committee to enhance awareness of safeguarding by releasing a statement.

 

In response to questions from the Committee, Mr Roberts stated that:

 

·  Safeguarding Champions had been established within staff teams, in accordance with best practice.

 

·  The Member Safeguarding Champion would attend the Maidstone Borough Council Safeguarding Champions Group to share best practice.

RESOLVED: That

 

1.  The draft version of MBC’s Safeguarding Policy be approved for consultation.

 

2.  Delegated authority be granted to the Head of Housing & Community Services to formally adopt the Policy, subject to any minor amendments in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Communities, Housing and Environment Committee.

 

3.  A safeguarding training session be arranged by the Head of Housing & Community Services for all Councillors in the 2019/20 municipal year.

Voting: Unanimous

 

4.  Council be recommended that the Chairman of the Communities, Housing and Environment Committee is automatically appointed to the role of Member Safeguarding Champion.

Voting:   For – 7   Against – 1   Abstentions – 1

 

5.  Council is recommended to amend the delegations to the Head of Housing and Community Services to include specific reference to responsibility for Safeguarding.

 

6.  Delegated authority is granted to the Head of Legal Partnership and Monitoring Officer to make the appropriate amendments to the Constitution to give effect to the decisions.

Voting: Unanimous