The Housing and Inclusion Manager introduced the report and explained that the feedback received from Members and Officers had indicated that the Safeguarding Policy needed to be streamlined. The proposed document would be easier to navigate whilst still providing an overview of the Council’s safeguarding responsibilities. New Safegaurding Champions had been recruited with training provided, and the Sharepoint site underwent a refresh in October 2020. Since this date, 30 safeguarding alerts had been received, the majority of which related to domestic abuse and mental health concerns.

In response to questions, the Housing and Inclusion Manager explained that the updated policy did not contain changes to the safeguarding process but removed information that was not necessary. Kent County Council were responsible for safeguarding across the county. The policy’s success would be measured by the continuance of safeguarding alerts being raised by staff.

RESOLVED: That

1.  The refreshed safeguarding policy be adopted; and

2.  The safeguarding data collected across the organisation be reviewed in twelve months.