Issue - meetings

17.1     The Board considered a report on the East Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) Annual Report for 2023/24 introduced by Seona Douglas, Independent Chair East Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board.  The SAB is a strategic Board that works across East Sussex to coordinate safeguarding for adults. It publishes a strategic annual plan of work and an annual report as well as conducting and publishing a number of Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs) each year. Learning from the SARs is incorporated into future work plans. The report provides an update on the work carried out with partners under a number of strategic themes which set out the priorities for the work of the Board. The report also sets out priority areas for the SAB over the next 3 years (2024-27) which include:

·       Self-neglect

·       Prevent and early intervention

·       Safeguarding and homelessness

17.2     Councillor Webb commented on the number of safeguarding issues involving people with learning disabilities and dual or multiple diagnoses (e.g. SAR Donna). He asked about the level of advocacy services that are being provided and whether they were at the same level.

17.3     Seona Douglas responded that transitions work used to be predominantly around those people with learning disabilities, but it is now more about those with complex needs. The Donna SAR is symptomatic of many of the reviews where the challenges are around those people who have substance dependence, and work is necessary across a range of organisations to meet those needs. The challenge was that agencies would all do the right things but were doing them individually. Holding multi-agency meetings to coordinate services are key to meeting needs wholistically, within a multi-agency framework. What the SAB is looking for is assurance that all agencies are working together in a wholistic way. Mark Stainton added that Adult Social Care does have a contract for Advocacy Services, which is a demand led service, and there has been no change in the level of support in the contract.

17.4     Mark Stainton thanked Seona for the annual report and for the excellent chairing of the SAB, which has developed significantly under her leadership. The Local Government Association (LGA) peer review that took place earlier in the year was very complimentary about the way the SAB was working, its leadership and the energy that was evident in the Board. The data in the report helps provide an evidence base from which to make decisions, prioritisations and understand the context that all the agencies are operating within. Mark agreed that we do need to find a meaningful way of getting input from residents and service users. The priorities for the SAB going forward are reflective of the pressures and priorities around the risks of self-neglect and homelessness, as well as the importance of a preventative approach to safeguarding to meet increasing demand.

17.5     Stephen Lightfoot commented safeguarding adults is an important issue across East Sussex and the independent chairing of the SAB is working really well. The annual report is very well written. He asked if  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17