A report presenting the Committee with the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2021/22.

The Executive Director of Social Care and Health submitted a report which would form the Council’s submission to the Berkshire West Annual Report 2021/22.

Jo Lappin, Assistant Director for Safeguarding, Quality, Performance and Practice explained that Reading Borough Council was the host and lead organisation for the strategic partnership arrangement between Reading, West Berkshire and Wokingham.  From July 2022 the Contact Centre was the single point of contact for receiving safeguarding concerns from partner agencies which were then signposted to the most appropriate team.

It was noted that there had been a significant increase in safeguarding concerns raised and work was continuing on prevention.  The Safeguarding Annual Report Delivery Plan was attached at Appendix 1 to provide information on the areas of focus.

A summary of the Council’s Safeguarding Performance Data was set out in the report and included the following:

• The number of safeguarding concerns had risen significantly from 1589 in 1920/21 to 2989 in 2021/22;

• Concerns which converted into a safeguarding enquiry had fallen to 13%, compared with 31% in the previous year.  It was noted the national average was 33.9%

• A higher number of out-of-scope concerns had been received from the Police and South-Central Ambulance Service.

• Neglect and Acts of Omission had risen by 2.9% (abuse type in 39.9% of cases).

• There had been a slight increase in ‘Self Neglect’ cases (up 1.3%).

The Committee discussed the report, and it was noted that there had been an increase in safeguarding concerns with older and more vulnerable people who were open to neglect, abuse and manipulation. The aim would be to create a culture of reporting so that every resident in Reading could feel confident to report safeguarding issues and get a positive outcome.  It was noted that the Contact Centre was now the single point of contact for receiving safeguarding concerns from partner agencies.  Feedback and support were provided to partners to help with decision making. 

There had been an increase in reporting with the majority from the ambulance service and police.  Work was being undertaken with these agencies on out-of-scope concerns and to support partners with referrals.

Regarding the drop in the number of concerns converted into a safeguarding enquiry, it was noted that this could be due to several factors including the impact of Covid.  This percentage was expected to increase and would allow resources to be used more effectively.

It was reported that the hoarding and self-neglect project had been very successful. There had been good multiagency working and additional funding was currently being investigated to continue the prevention work.

The Principal Social Worker was now in role and supporting the team with safeguarding practices, decision making and operating processes.

To better understand inequalities work would be carried out to contact groups and partners in the black, Asian and minority ethnic communities to raise awareness. This would include continued work with the NHS and specifically GPs to help understanding and highlight how to prioritise issues.

Resolved –    That the report be noted as the Council’s contribution to the Berkshire West Safeguarding Board Annual Report.