1. Home
  2. Agenda item

Agenda item

East Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership (ESSCP) Annual Report

Report by Independent Chair of East Sussex Safeguarding Partnership

Minutes:

86.1    Following changes introduced by the Children and Social Care Act (2017), the East Sussex Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) was replaced in October 2019 by the East Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership (ESSCP).   Reg Hooke, Independent Chair of the ESSCP, therefore highlighted to the Committee that the Annual Report covers a period of transition.   Mr Hooke then provided an overview of some of the key learning and achievements that have occurred as part of the transition process.  For example, the embedding of arrangements relating to a new national panel that oversees case reviews and the movement of the Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP) to a new Pan-Sussex CDOP led by Public Health and local NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups. 

 

86.2    Mr Hooke also highlighted to the Committee the East Sussex Joint Targeted Area Inspection which took place in February 2020 (on the theme of children’s mental health).  The subsequent Inspection Letter noted the well-established and effective partnership arrangements in East Sussex.   

 

86.3    Another key area of activity for the ESSCP has been the development of the following priorities for the next three-year period: education safeguarding, child exploitation, embedding a learning culture, and safeguarding the under 5s.   With regard to safeguarding under 5s, Members heard that this priority was developed partly in response to an increase during the pandemic in the number of reports of injuries and neglect to children in this age group. 

 

86.4    Mr Hooke also set out some of the challenges the pandemic has presented to the ESSCP.  For example, the difficulties associated with having face-to-face meetings with children.    In conclusion, Mr Hooke is satisfied that the closer alignment of the agencies under the new arrangements has helped deliver an effective response to the challenges presented by the pandemic, with the agencies working together effectively.

86. 5   The Committee welcomed the detailed report before it and discussed a range of issues, with the key items set out below:

 

  • The Committee noted that the Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) referred to above identified multi-agency information sharing as an area which could be further strengthened and asked for more detail about this issue.  In response, Mr Hooke informed the Committee that each JTAI results in an Action Plan which is overseen the ESSCP.  The Plan is broken down into three elements relating to Police, Health and Social Care.  With regard to the issue of multi-agency information sharing, Members were assured that the response to the finding is being actioned.  Although Mr Hooke also clarified that any subsequent adjustments should be seen as ‘fine tuning’. 
  • Mr Hooke also commented that issues relating to communication will always need to be kept under review.   For example, the ESSCP is exploring whether communications between agencies could be improved with regard to electively home-educated children, a cohort which includes potentially vulnerable children. 
  • With regard to enhancing communication between agencies and professionals, the Director of Children’s Services, Stuart Gallimore, also confirmed that the Council’s Single Point of Advice (SPoA) page on the Council’s website has recently incorporated CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).  This means that the SPoA site has now become the contact point for such referrals, along with other safeguarding referrals.  This will help deliver further improvements with regard to supporting communications between agencies.  

 

  • Members discussed the reported rise in safeguarding incidents involving children under the age of 5 and sought clarification as to what had caused the increase.   In response the Director of Children’s Services commented that the rise in reports was an issue nationally and related to the impact of lockdowns and restrictions on services caused by the pandemic.  For example, health visitors during the first wave were re-deployed to hospitals.   In response to the national restrictions the Council developed an effective virtual response which has provided vital support to many families.   However, whilst the virtual offer has been well-supported, it is the case that home visits being stopped or significantly reduced, together with new parents being unable to turn to their normal social support systems of families and friends has unfortunately contributed to the national rise in reports.   Whilst the rise is a concern both locally and nationally, East Sussex has not suffered a high rate of incidents.  A number of local initiatives may have helped in this respect.  This includes, for example, the introduction of virtual home visits and other creative solutions developed by the Department and schools to help deliver support in different ways to those who most need it.

 

  • Members discussed the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children and young people’s mental health. The Committee asked whether the ESSCP believed CAMHS would be able to manage an increased demand for its services.    In response, Mr Hooke confirmed to Members that for the last two years mental health has been a priority area for ESSCP and that the partnership has undertaken a number of audits. These audits have shown a positive trend in terms of waiting lists for CAMHS services, but Mr Hooke agreed with Members that more work is required. In particular in support of individuals who have developed mental health issues due to the impacts of Covid-19.  Stuart Gallimore also informed the Committee of the Sussex-wide review of Emotional Health and Wellbeing Support report.  The report, called ‘Foundations For Our Future’ is set to be considered by the Council in summer 2021 and will have a focus on mental health support for children and young people.  

 

  • In response to a query about support with ‘lower level’ mental health issues, Mr Gallimore commented that the best way to address these issues was for children to be back in school.  Individuals would then have access not only the support of their friends, but also the professional support that schools can call on.  Whilst initial reports indicate that the full return to school has gone well, Mr Gallimore is aware that some children will be anxious.  It is also a factor which schools are aware of and have worked hard to prepare for ahead of the full reopening of schools.  Mr Gallimore also encouraged all parties to not unintentionally put pressure on children and young people by focusing on the ‘loss of learning’ issue.   Whilst there is a significant issue, schools are again prepared for the challenge and will work hard to assess the learning needs of individual children in the coming months and identify the best ways to support them.  

 

  • Members sought assurance that the structure of the ESSCP was manageable, given its complexity. Mr Hooke informed the Committee that despite appearing complex from the outside the Partnership works smoothly.  For example, and so as to ensure proper oversight, the ESSCP sub-groups report to the Panel’s steering group on a quarterly basis. 

 

  • Members discussed the impact that Covid-19 restrictions has had on new parents accessing support, such as post-natal services and parent and baby classes.  In response Mr Hooke confirmed that whilst many services have successfully moved online, the lack of in-person interaction may be a factor that impacts negatively on the mental health of new parents.   As these services are vital for both parents and for infant development, the ESSCP have identified this an issue it will consider further.   

 

86.6    The Committee RESOLVED to note the report.

 

Supporting documents: