Agenda item

Ms Fiona Bateman, Chair, Barnet Safeguarding Adults Board (BSAB) spoke to the 2022-23 annual report. She noted that she would return in a few months’ time with the report for 2023-24. 

Ms Bateman noted that the increase in the number of safeguarding issues being reported partly reflects changes in reporting. There had been a push to engage productively with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities and VCFS colleagues to reach marginalised groups.

Ms Bateman reported that the rise in cases of abuse and neglect at home from 45-57% was a challenge and required a multi-agency response. The decrease in concerns from the care sectors signified that processes are robust and teams are working well with providers to minimise the risks of harm.

Ms Bateman reported that the Home Office had cited Barnet’s work recently in its ‘Safe at Home’ review, as a case study on financial abuse. She continued that Barnet’s ‘experts by experience’ had been invited to respond to government consultations, providing a solid voice on human rights reforms in the context of safeguarding adults.

A Member asked how challenging it is to uncover cases in residents’ own homes. Ms Bateman noted that the council has no additional powers to enter private homes so works in partnership with the police and health partners to gather information. She added that colleagues are being ‘professionally curious’ and reporting concerns, and  Barnet is one of the few places with an adult MASH. In addition MASH is engaging directly with the VCFS Safeguarding Leads who meet regularly with the adult MASH.

Ms Omijie declared an interest by virtue of the fact that she is employed by BOOST as a disability employment coordinator, that she has made safeguarding reports and works with vulnerable adults, and has a care package herself. Ms Omijie asked whether data sharing is being reviewed, as she finds that sometimes there is no way of sharing information between organisations on a resident being reported by social services as a potential safeguarding concern. Mr Mass, Operations Director, Adult Social Care, stated that there are agreements between partners on the Barnet Adults Safeguarding Board (BASB). If there are issues around a partner not having access to necessary information a meeting can be held to discuss the options for getting the right data sharing agreements in place.

The Executive Director, Communities, Adults and Health added that the BSAB has been working on how it feeds back to referrers. There are limits due to confidentiality but efforts are made to ensure referrers know that appropriate action is being taken. It is the individual’s decision whether information is shared proactively, so consent is needed and other agencies would not routinely be informed. Ms Bateman noted that there should be parity across all practitioners working with an individual, including The Barnet Group, and this can be discussed at the quarterly meetings of the safeguarding leads.

A Member requested clarification on the criteria for the different safeguarding concerns. Ms Bateman noted that of the 1395 concerns some may be the same individual with different concerns. These have met the criteria to be a ‘concern’. ‘Other’ enquiries under the Care Act can be looked into without fully meeting the criteria for Section 42 as there is discretion to carry out other activities to be sure the individual is not experiencing abuse or neglect.

A Member asked whether financial abuse has been more prevalent due to the cost of living crisis. Ms Bateman responded that it had and that this had been anticipated, as well as an increase in domestic violence.

Ms Omijie asked how the staff training for care companies is monitored. Ms Bateman noted that it is part of mandatory training if the council is commissioning a partner, but the partnership does not monitor every care company. Monthly ‘lunch and learn’ sessions are offered to all providers and the voluntary sector partners, and the Health Trust and ICB provide reports on training undertaken by their employees.

A Member asked how the data is collected in relation to domestic abuse and safeguarding issues in residents’ own homes. For example would the incidence of domestic abuse appear to be lower if cases were recorded as safeguarding issues? Ms Bateman responded that safeguarding adults reporting in residents’ own homes is fairly new. People record the nature of harm first, and this can be a disadvantage as there are greater legal powers to deal with domestic abuse. The location of the abuse alone (the home) does not necessarily mean that the person is being abused by a member of their household. The reason the location of the abuse is needed is to give a fuller picture of what is needed, and as an evidence-base to report to the police.

Ms Bateman noted that at the last meeting she was asked why online abuse, including scamming, is not being recorded by the service. She took this back to NHS Digital asking for this important measure to be included. NHS Digital has agreed and hopefully this will be taken forward.

The Chair thanked officers for presenting the report.

RESOLVED that the committee noted the report.