Agenda item

Report of the Director of Children and Adult Services

The Children and Adult Services submitted a report (previously circulated) to update Members on the progress and performance of the Designated Officer (DO) Service (previously known as the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) between April 2017 to March 2018 and to highlight the required actions for April 2018 to March 2019.

The submitted report outlined the function of the Designated Officer; local arrangements; the criterion for a Designated Officer referral; cross boundary issues; provided statistical information on the number of referrals and annual comparisons; areas of concern and the main category for referral; detailed the source of referrals by profession and employment setting; allegations by staff group; and gave detail of outcomes of cases.

The submitted report also provided performance information relating to the Designated Officer Service; freedom of information requests; service improvements and developments 2017/18; and highlighted priorities for 2018/19.

A Member questioned whether other agencies were obliged to report any concerns to the Designated Officer and the Head of Quality Assurance and Practice Improvement advised that all agencies are required to have a Child Protection Policy in place and a Management Investigation Process.

Members also agreed that it would be useful for them to have a copy of the public information available in relation to the role of the Designated Officer and other relevant safeguarding contacts.   This would help Members promote children’s safeguarding to faith groups and other organisations within their individual Wards.

RESOLVED –That the contents of the annual report and work undertaken during 2017/18 and the priorities of the Designated Officer service for 2018/19 be noted and agreed.