Archived decisions

Contact: Jane Lawson 01962 845514 [email protected]

1. Summary:

The following decision is sought:

a) That the Executive Member for Adult Social Care notes and approves the first Annual Report of the Hampshire Adult Protection Committee. Future Reports will be received upon publication of the Annual Report of the Committee.

b) Through noting the report, the Executive Member for Adult Social Care, supports the raising of awareness of issues relating to safeguarding and adult protection, in the public arena.

2. Reason

2.1 So that the report can be brought into the public domain thereby supporting the raising of awareness of safeguarding and adult protection.

3. Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 None

4. Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted - none

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - none

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - not applicable

Approved by: ....................... Date: .......................

Councillor Felicity Hindson

Executive Member for Adult Social Care

Contact: Jane Lawson 01962 845514 [email protected]

1. Executive Summary

1.1 This is the first annual report of the Hampshire Adult Protection Committee which was formed in May 2006. The report gives an overview of the strategic objectives of the Committee as well as outlining more specific areas of activity undertaken during the period May 2006 to September 2007.

1.2 The report reflects a growing commitment to partnership working in Adult Protection and includes contributions from a number of partner agencies.

1.3 Hampshire Data on Adult Protection

1.3.1 The statistics included in Appendix B reflect, on the whole, national trends. The information which Hampshire is now collecting on outcomes of situations of abuse reported to Adult Services illustrates the need for continued efforts to maintain and expand high quality partnership working in adult protection.

1.3.2 By enhancing both partnership working and the contribution of each agency in adult protection work, as well as raising awareness of the issue in the public arena, the decision to approve and publish the annual report will support the corporate priorities of "Hampshire safer and more secure for all" and "maximise wellbeing".

2. Recommendations

2.1 That the Executive Member for Adult Social Care notes and approves the first Annual Report of the Hampshire Adult Protection Committee. Future Reports will be received upon publication of the Annual Report of the Committee.

2.2 Through noting the report, the Executive Member for Adult Social Care, supports the raising of awareness of issues relating to safeguarding and adult protection, in the public arena.

3. Background

3.1 Hampshire works in partnership with the unitary councils of Southampton and Portsmouth on the protection of vulnerable adults from abuse. The three authorities, along with other statutory agencies, all share one multi-agency policy and procedure.

3.2 Until May 2006, when a Hampshire Adult Protection Committee was established, Hampshire had relied on the Multi-agency Management Committee (shared with Southampton and Portsmouth) to steer strategic development. The specific Hampshire Adult Protection Committee now ensures that local priorities are addressed. The Multi-Agency Management Committee remains in existence as an integral strategic group informing the Adult Protection Committees in the respective three local authorities. Senior managers from all authorities attend this, including the chairman of Hampshire's Adult Protection Committee.

3.2 Following this first report of the Committee (May 2006 to September 2007) an interim report will be published for the period October 2007 - March 2008. Thereafter annual reports will be based on each subsequent financial year.

4. Impact and Implications

4.1 Financial

4.1.1 There are potential cost implications of key objectives outlined on page 11 of the Annual report. These include:

Service user involvement in Adult Protection: This is about enabling people who may have been the subject of adult protection procedures, or groups representative of these people, to be consulted and involved in formulating better agency responses.

Serious Case Reviews: As our policy is developed, there could be costs associated with formally carrying out such reviews, including the provision of any specialists advice and expertise.

National Developments: Responding to national developments and requirements that may arise.

4.1.2 Such financial implications are not necessarily the sole responsibility of Hampshire County Council Adult Services, but should form part of each agency's responsibility to the Safeguarding agenda. Adult Services contribution to such costs identified to date can be contained within current budgets.

4.2 Impact Assessment

4.2.1 A full impact assessment is still to be undertaken and will be undertaken in due course. This Annual report will raise the profile of Adult Protection and the issue will be taken out into local communities by the recently appointed Adult services Safeguarding Coordinators.

5. Conclusion

5.1 As set out in the Executive Summary the adoption and publication of the annual report will serve to raise the profile of adult protection in the public arena and across agencies, thus supporting key corporate priorities and ensuring appropriate and effective reporting of situations of abuse and effective joint working in addressing those situations.

5.2 The direct implications of this multi-agency report for Adult Services may need to be further considered as this fast moving agenda develops. In this case a further report will come to Members.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB: the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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