A report seeking approval for the publication of the Reading Safeguarding Adults Report 2024/25 on the West of Berkshire Safeguarding Adult Board website.

The Committee received a report that sought approval for the publication of the Reading Safeguarding Adults Report 2024/25 on the West of Berkshire Safeguarding Adults Board website.  The report provided an overview of safeguarding adults activity in Reading for the period April 2024 to March 2025 and highlighted key performance trends, demographic insights, achievements and priorities for the coming year.  A copy of the West of Berkshire Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2024/25 was attached to the report and a copy of the Reading Safeguarding Adults Report 2024/25 was circulated after the meeting as it had been omitted in error.

The report set out the key messages within the Safeguarding Adults Report with a series of tables, charts and graphs under the following headings:

• Safeguarding Concerns and Enquiries;
• Referral Sources;
• Enquiries by Age and Gender;
• Types of Abuse in Concluded Enquiries;
• Outcomes of Concluded Enquiries.

A positive change for Reading had been the higher conversion rate, from Concern to s42 Enquiry, of 37%; this evidenced the targeted work that had been done to reduce the ‘out of scope’ referrals, clarifying criteria and raising awareness.  As a result, inappropriate concern referrals had fallen significantly whilst more concerns that had been raised met the Care Act criteria or warranted intervention, meaning that staff and agencies were identifying genuine risks rather than unnecessary referrals.

The report stated that, with regard to achievements during 2024/25, the Council had made significant strides in strengthening its safeguarding framework.  A major achievement had been the successful clearance of the backlog of safeguarding enquiries, which had previously posed challenges to timely intervention.  The introduction of a new duty system and the launch of a comprehensive safeguarding manual had provided staff with clear guidance and had improved operational efficiency.  The implementation of the Mosaic module and an embedded feedback form had enhanced case recording and had allowed for better quality assurance.  The Council had also seen a notable increase in Persons in Position of Trust (PiPOT) referrals, rising from just four in the previous year to 26, reflecting improved awareness and compliance.  Training had remained a priority, with over 620 staff completing fire safety training and 101 staff receiving specialist training on mental capacity, ensuring that frontline practitioners were equipped to manage complex safeguarding scenarios effectively.

Looking ahead for 2025/26, the Council had identified key priorities to build on the progress that had already been achieved in the previous year:

These priorities reflected a proactive strategy that was aimed at reducing risk, promoting independence and improving the overall safeguarding experience for adults at risk and to support them the investment in workplace development would continue.  Strengthening community engagement would also be critical to ensuring that safeguarding services remained inclusive and responsive to the needs of diverse populations.

Resolved -   That the publication of the Reading Safeguarding Adults Annual Report 2024/25 be endorsed.