Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Health and Care

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee were aware that in some instances there were adults within the community who did not meet the requirement for a statutory safeguarding response but who came to the attention of partner agencies where there were high risks to them or the wider community. Currently there was no formal forum to help address such situations and agencies had reported feeling isolated in managing these risks.

A variety of different approaches were shared with Members, including the system used in Stoke-on-Trent which was led by a charitable organisation. Members heard that having a lead organisation other than the local council helped in fostering a more open forum with all organisations taking part feeling they are on a more even footing.

The Committee considered the virtue of creating a similar forum in Staffordshire, including looking at the work of partner organisation and specifically disruptive practice techniques and the disruptive practice toolkit developed by the Police.

RESOLVED: That:

a)    Staffordshire County Council’s current position to safeguarding adults on the cusp of care be noted;

b)    the activities that occur within other Local Authorities regarding safeguarding adults be recognised; and

c)    consideration of similar activity being introduced within Staffordshire be included on the work programme.