Sheffield Hidden Harm Task Group
Terms of Reference
Purpose.
The “hidden harm” caused to children by parents and carers who misuse drugs and alcohol, has been
subject to increasing concern and attention since it was originally defined by the Advisory Council on the
Misuse of Drugs in 2003.
Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB) is responsible for ensuring that partner agencies have
adequate arrangements for safeguarding children within their policies and strategies. The Sheffield Drug
and Alcohol Coordination Team (DACT) is responsible on behalf of the Sheffield Strategic Partnerships for
tackling drug and alcohol misuse in the City.
Sheffield DACT on behalf of the Strategic Partnership and Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board have
agreed a joint strategic approach to tackling “hidden harm”. This includes the development of a joint
Hidden Harm Strategy for the City which focuses on both the child’s and the adult’s needs within the
family; regular reviews of the strategy to ensure its continued relevance and implementation of the
strategy’s action plan.
This work will be delivered through the Hidden Harm Task Group which will be jointly chaired by the
Sheffield DACT and Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board; this paper sets out the Terms of Reference for
the Hidden Harm Task Group.
Objectives
1. Leading on the development of, and overseeing the implementation of the Sheffield Hidden Harm
Strategy in line with national guidelines and local policy developments.
2. Leading on the development of, and overseeing the implementation of a comprehensive action/work
plan that supports the implementation of the Sheffield Hidden Harm Strategy
3. Reporting to the Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board and the Sheffield Strategic Partnership any
potential blocks to progressing the strategy and how identification of solutions
4. To consider the implications of national policies, new legislation, guidance and research around the
Hidden Harm Agenda as well as local corporate policies, reviews and developments and to recommend
best working safeguarding practice to the Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board.
5. To set and report performance targets and outcome measures, analyse information and identify
trends/patterns of need across the city.
Members
a) The members of the Hidden Harm Task Group have agreed to attend the meetings and contribute to
the work of the Group.
Name
Representing
Victoria Horsefield
Safeguarding Children Board
Magda Boo
Drug and Alcohol Coordination Team
Dotty Watkins
Sheffield Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust /
Midwifery
Young People’s Substance Misuse
Janine Dalley
Chris Wood
Sue Bentley
Mandy Craig
Sheffield Health and Social Care (mental
health)
MAST
Phil Shaw
Safeguarding Children Substance Misuse
Service
Police
Phil McNerney
Probation
Diane Shahlavi
Paediatric Liaison Nurse (A&E)
Debbie Gooden
Early Years
Lorraine Greeves
Housing
Julie Mepham
Children and Families – Social Care
Janet Carter
Liaison Health Visitor (Drugs and Alcohol)
Karen Devlin
Named Nurse (Safeguarding Children)
Jayne Axe
Sheffield Children’s Hospital
Discussion underway
GP
Jo Gregg
School Nursing
Healthy Schools to nominate
Education
b) Each member of the Hidden Harm Task Group will lead on specific tasks and objectives identified in the
agreed action plan in order to share the responsibility for meeting deadlines and achieving the desired
outcomes.
Chairing
The Hidden Harm Implementation Group will be chaired by SSCB Board Manager and DACT representative.
Frequency/Duration
The Group will meet a minimum of quarterly. The Group will continue to meet for as long as is necessary to
achieve full and satisfactory implementation of the Strategy.
Accountability
The Chair will report progress to the Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board on a 6 monthly basis and to the
Sheffield Strategic Partnership through the regular report process via Sheffield DACT.
Quoracy
The quorum for a meeting of the Hidden Harm Task Group shall be when there are a minimum of 4
member organisations / agencies in addition to the Chair represented at the meeting.
Administration
Minutes of all meetings will be recorded by the Safeguarding Children Board business support.
Agendas, minutes and reports will be circulated to members at least two weeks before the task group is
due to meet.