CWM TAF SAFEGUARDING BOARDS

Transcription

1 FOR ALL PRACTITIONERS INVOLVED IN SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS ACROSS RHONDDA CYNON TAF AND MERTHYR TYDFIL WELCOME Welcome to the second edition of the Cwm Taf Safeguarding Boards Bulletin which has been developed in partnership with the agencies that are represented on the Children and Adults Safeguarding Boards. The role of these agencies is to jointly ensure that children and adults at risk in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil are safeguarded from abuse, neglect and other kinds of harm. The statutory agencies represented on the Boards are: Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Cwm Taf University Health Board South Wales Police National Probation Service/Wales Community Rehabilitation Company If you would like specific topics included in future editions of this Bulletin please Further information can be found on our website

2 CWM TAF SAFEGUARDING BOARDS BUSINESS UNIT The Business Unit that supports both the Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Adults Boards to deliver their safeguarding responsibilities is based in Ty Catrin, Pontypridd, CF37 1NY. The Unit is the central point of co-ordination for the Boards and is responsible for the Boards' website. Contact details are as follows: Nikki Kingham, Business Manager, Rachel Lapham, Business Development Officer, Nicola Jones, Administrative Officer, Leah Morgan, Administrative Officer, SOCIAL SERVICES AND WELLBEING (WALES) ACT 2014 Part 7 of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2015 sets out the new legal framework to protect adults and children. This includes: A formal Adult at Risk definition Duties to Report; Enquire; Co-operate; and Share Information Adult Protection and Support Orders Strengthened arrangements for Safeguarding Boards. The establishment of a National Independent Safeguarding Board. For further information visit SAFEGUARDING WEEK In November 2015, the Cwm Taf Safeguarding Boards hosted Wales first-ever Safeguarding Week and used the important occasion to launch their new website The website launch event was attended by Older People s Commissioner Sarah Rochira and Children s Commissioner Sally Holland who both delivered poignant speeches.

3 The website contains information on the range of safeguarding issues faced in Cwm Taf and it has bespoke sections for adults, children, parents/carers and professionals. It is designed to be an inclusive site full of tips, information and guidance for people who have concerns for themselves or someone else. Safeguarding Week was designed to engage with the public and the staff who work for the organisations that form our Safeguarding Boards to raise awareness of issues, how to respond to them and where to seek help. Plans are underway for Safeguarding Week 2016, which is due to be a bigger and better national event. If you have ideas or suggestions as to what should be delivered as part of Safeguarding Week 2016 please contact the Business Unit - cwmtafsafeguarding@rctcbc.gov.uk CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION (CSE) The Welsh Government has published its National Action Plan which sets out the minimum standards for safeguarding children boards and partner agencies to: Prevent and protect children and young people from sexual exploitation Provide responsive, appropriate and consistent support to those identified as being subject to or at risk of child sexual exploitation Contribute to the identification and prosecution of perpetrators. Further information can be found via the following link: The role of licensing in safeguarding practice There has been significant interest about the role of taxi drivers and licensed premises in sexual exploitation over years of abuse noticeably in Rochdale and Rotherham. All activities that are now licensable carry a risk of harm either of a personal, financial, environmental or amenity nature. The requirement for a licence enables a licensing authority to make a judgement so that the potential harm is eliminated, reduced or balanced against the benefits of society. The largest proportion of licensing work is in relation to the Licensing Act 2003 (the sale of alcohol, provision

4 of regulated entertainment and late night refreshment) and the regulation of hackney carriage/private hire vehicles. There is also considerable activity under the Gambling Act This may be of greater significance in some areas more than others, with issues of underage gambling and children at risk of using or accessing amusement arcades. The areas above are where it is thought there is most risk to children and young people. For further information contact: MTCBC Licensing section on and RCTCBC Licensing on and RCTCBC CHILDREN'S SERVICES REMODELLING Rhondda Cynon Taf Children's Services has been working towards the implementation of a revised operating model which aims to: Enable children, young people and families to access appropriate support as early as possible. Prevent problems escalating and reduce the demand for high cost, specialist support services. To ensure that children, young people and their families will be supported to help themselves to achieve their full potential and thereby improve their overall well-being and quality of life. On Monday the 25th April 2016 the revised model became operational; details of the new Children's Services structure which supports the model's implementation has been circulated to CTSCB partner agencies. RCTCBC AND MTCBC ADULT SAFEGUARDING TEAMS With the implementation of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 the teams are ensuring that documentation and definitions are being updated. We are getting the word out to all our partners and service providers that the term we have used since 2001, Vulnerable Adult is now to be known as Adult at Risk.

5 Part 7 of the Act states an Adult at Risk is someone A) Experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect; B) Has needs for care and support (whether or not the Authority is meeting those needs);and C) As a result of those needs is unable to protect him/her self against the abuse of neglect or the risk of it. The teams don't want anyone with concerns to be worried about the language but just to ring for advice if they feel that there is any abuse being perpetrated. The Adult Safeguarding Team in RCT is made up of three full time (Andrea Williams, Christopher Harris & Catherine Bates) and two part time (Karen Bevan & Kevin McCarthy) Adult Protection Officers, based at Pontypridd police station at the M.A.S.H (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub). They are managed by a Service Manager, Jackie Neale and supported by a part time Adult Protection Prevention Officer (Carol Smith). The Adult Safeguarding Team is made up of two full-time Safeguarding Coordinators, Jayne Powell and Alyson Williams who are based at the MASH. They are managed by the Principal Manager for Safeguarding, Alexandra Beckham. Working with South Wales Police, Cwm Taf University Health Board and Merthyr Tydfil Social Services we are able to give advice and respond quickly to any concerns raised. If you have any questions please contact us on (RCT) or (Merthyr Tydfil). EXTREMISM AND RADICALISATION The UK faces a range of terrorist threats today, from terrorist or extremist groups who pose a threat to our communities, and seek to radicalise and recruit people to their cause. The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 introduced a new PREVENT Duty for Local Authorities, which means that in the course of their duties, they must have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn in to terrorism. This

6 duty applies to Local Authorities, schools, colleges and Universities, health and social care, criminal justice and the Police. PREVENT is part of the UK governments long-term strategy for countering terrorism called CONTEST. CONTEST comprises 4 key elements: Pursue: to stop terrorist attacks Protect: to strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack Prepare: to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack Prevent: to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism/extremist ideas. PREVENT focuses on early intervention, before any illegal activity takes place and before individuals become involved in violent extremism or supporting terrorism in any form. The PREVENT agenda aims to challenge extremist ideas where ever they exist, primarily through education, debate, mentoring and supporting critical thinking. It is important to recognise the context in which the PREVENT agenda is being delivered. Nationally, PREVENT is designed to challenge all forms of terrorism, whether it is Far Right Extremism, Animal Rights or Environmental Activists or Al Qaeda/Islamic State inspired. What is Channel? The Channel process is an early intervention, multi-agency, safeguarding programme designed to support individuals identified as being vulnerable to being drawn in to violent extremism, or terrorist related activity. Channel works in a similar way to existing safeguarding partnerships aimed at protecting vulnerable people. The process is shaped around the circumstances of each person, and can provide support for any form of radicalisation or personal vulnerabilities. The partnership approach ensures those with specific knowledge and expertise around the vulnerabilities of those at risk are able to work together to provide support. Channel interventions are delivered through local partners and specialist agencies. The support may focus on a persons vulnerabilities around health, education, employment or housing; as well as specialist mentoring or faith guidance, and broader diversionary activities. Each support package is tailored to the person and their individual circumstances.

7 WRAP Training WRAP3 (Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent) training is available for all frontline staff. The workshops run for approximately one hour, and each session aims to ensure that all attendees: Understand the aims of the PREVENT programme To encourage attendees to think about who may be vulnerable to terrorism, and see why some people are able to influence and manipulate others. To be able to recognise when a vulnerable individual may be in need of your help. To understand what support looks like in the area and who they should turn to if they have concerns. For any queries regarding the Prevent/Channel process or WRAP training, please contact Claire Blackmore, MT Prevent Lead on , claire.blackmore@merthyr.gov.uk CHILD PRACTICE REVIEWS Child Practice Review feedback events were held across Merthyr Tydfil and RCT in November and December last year, involving professionals across Cwm Taf. The learning points identified were as follows: How to clarify support different perceptions from different professionals. Sharing of information and communication with other agencies (child protection is everyone s responsibility). Importance of maintaining respectful uncertainty and noting that in best practice, making the links with other agencies so that they have a full understanding. Twins additional support required for families as there is additional pressure. PRUDiC information around the PRUDiC process should be on the siblings files and the importance of that information being shared appropriately.

8 Awareness of the Protocol bruising and soft tissue injury in children not independently mobile it is not just a protocol for children under 12 months, it is also applies to disabled children and older non-mobile children. For further information on Child Practice Reviews please visit the Cwm Taf Safeguarding Boards website M.A.S.H The Cwm Taf Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) was officially launched on Thursday 21 st May 2015, by First Minister Carwyn Jones. In its first year of operation, improvements to referral mechanisms have been introduced with the new C1 and A1 referral forms now in use. WASPI agreements are in place for partner agencies which supports effective information sharing. In October 2015 at the South Wales Police Awards, the MASH was the winner of the Police and Crime Commissioner Partnership Award and the winner of the Innovation Award for its management information system, Mhub. For further information on the MASH please visit the Cwm Taf Safeguarding Boards website CWM TAF UHB SAFEGUARDING BLOG There has been much published in the press and the media regarding the abuse and neglect of vulnerable people in hospital. Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW) in their review of adult protection arrangements (2010) highlighted that NHS organisations and health care professionals have difficulty grasping that poor practice and abuse happens in health care settings and this leads to abuse being underplayed as poor practice or a complication of treatment. Within our hospitals and communities we are responsible for supporting patients with a range of conditions and complex needs. Among these patients are some of our most vulnerable.

9 The Wales Policy and Procedures for the protection of Vulnerable Adults from Abuse (2010, updated Jan 2013) guides safeguarding work for all agencies involved and concerned for the welfare of vulnerable adults. The principles and values of the procedures are that everyone has the right to live their lives free from abuse. The values and rights below underpin the way vulnerable adults should be cared for by all involved in their care and support. Independence Respect Dignity Equality Privacy Choice In order to protect people from abuse we all need to be aware of the categories of abuse and of the signs and symptoms. Also the nature of the abuse and identify how people may be at risk of harm, in order to reduce or prevent it. Abuse is not always an intentional or a wilful act, however, it can still result in harm to a vulnerable adult and should still be reported as appropriate. For further information please visit: NEW WEBSITE FOR RCT CHILDREN LOOKED AFTER RCT s 2sides website for children looked after was launched on the 21st April in the Muni in Pontypridd as part of the Children Looked After Awards Ceremony. The evening was hosted by Group Director, Gio Isingrini and attended by Sally Holland, the Children s Commissioner, the Chief Executive and members of the Corporate Parenting Board. 2sides is a website designed by a group of children and young people looked after by RCT as a resource of useful information for other children who are looked after. Not only does the website provide information about being looked after, the health

10 and education of children looked after, but it is also a source of information about the Blueprint Forum, advocacy and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children and young people also have the opportunity to complete an online consultation document in readiness for their review meeting. For further information please visit