London Safeguarding Children Board meeting
MEETING NOTES
Meeting Title:
London Safeguarding Children Board Meeting
Date:
5 September 2012
Time:
10.00 – 12.00
Location:
London Councils, 59½ Southwark Street
Chaired by:
Cheryl Coppell (London Borough of Havering)
Attendees:
Commander Peter Spindler (Met
Police)
DCS Keith Niven (Met Police)
Lynne Abrams (MOPAC)
David Sanders (Lambeth LSCB)
Trish Morris-Thompson (NHS
London)
Sharon Long (Children England)
James Hamilton (Met Police
Sapphire Unit)
Helen Davis (London Havens
Development Team)
Ian Dean (London Board)
Pat Reynolds (LB Redbridge)
Alan Wood (LB Hackney)
Paul Robinson (LB Wandsworth)
Krutika Pau (LB Brent)
Andrew Fraser (LB Enfield)
Kamini Rambellas (Newham
LSCB)
Tim Beach (Barnet LSCB)
Caroline Dawes (London
Councils)
Jain Lemom (MOPAC)
Mark Owers (NSPCC)
Julie Cole (NSPCC)
Delroy Pomell (Barnardos)
Briony Ladbury (NHS London)
Shade Alu (NHS London)
Andy Mitchell (NHS London)
Nilam Taheem (London Board) notes
Apologies:
Points of discussion
1.
Introductions and apologies
1.1
Introductions were made and the group noted the above apologies.
1.2
Cheryl Coppell welcomed Commander Peter Spindler to his first meeting, replacing Simon
Foy as Commander for Specialist Crime Investigation (including the child abuse
investigation command). The Board recorded their thanks to Simon for his commitment and
support over the previous two years, and passed on their best wishes for the future.
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2.
Notes of the last meeting and actions arising – 13 June 2012
2.1
The notes of the last meeting were agreed.
3.
Developing the London Havens Service
3.1
Helen Davies (MBARC) gave a presentation on the London Sexual Violence Needs
Assessment and Havens review.
3.2
The London Sexual Violence Needs Assessment was published in July 2012 and
discussions are underway on how to make the summary of findings more accessible to a
wider audience. Briefing note attached at appendix 1.
3.3
She informed the group that they are looking at having a single lead provider working
across London on several sites and wanted to encourage more referrals through pathway
planning. With this in mind, the team are very keen to engage more strongly with existing
safeguarding children networks.
3.4
Cheryl Coppell suggested incorporating this work as part of the ongoing roll out of Multi
Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASH) in London, and Ian Dean suggested that Helen Davies
attend a future meeting of the MASH operational group to discuss further.
3.5
Keith Nivens (Met Police) asked what the reason was for victims dropping out and declining
to go through the process. Helen Davies replied that the examination process was quite
long. A smoother/shorter process was needed and this was an area that was being
revisited.
3.6
Trish Morris Thompson informed the group that an NHS London steering group was leading
on this area, but was currently lacking local authority representation. Cheryl Coppell
suggested inviting a representative from the London ADs network or Child Protection
Managers network to join.
3.7
David Sanders asked if there was any system in place for victims after the examination as
additional support would be needed. Helen Davies responded that there was support for
children between 13 – 17 years of age but children under thirteen would be referred back to
the local authority community team/specialist division.
3.8
Ian Dean suggested that the Havens team attend a future meeting of the London child
protection managers to discuss pathways planning and representation on the Havens
steering group, and the Board agreed that this would be a useful approach.
ACTIONS:
Helen Davies to be invited to the next MASH Operational Group meeting
Helen Davies to email Ian Dean the London Sexual Violence Needs Assessment for
circulation
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Ian Dean to arrange for Helen Davies to attend future meeting of the London child
protection managers meeting
Ian Dean to invite Helen Davies to present to the London LSCB Chairs network once
the work has progressed further.
4.
Revision of Children Protection Procedures – process and initial thoughts
4.1
Ian Dean reported on the latest on the revision of Child Protection Procedures and informed
the group that as the Working Together document was out for consultation, a multi-agency
editorial board working group had been established to look at revising the procedures. The
first meeting will be on the 9 October followed by two further meetings in November.
4.2
A draft consultation will go out in December 2012, hopefully at the Safeguarding Children
Conference on the 10 December. Any initial thoughts from Board members prior to the
October meeting would be welcomed.
4.3
The group agreed that many aspects of the London procedures were helpful and should
ideally be retained, particularly those relating to cross-border working. However, the Board
was happy for the editorial board to take the lead on this.
4.4
NHS London, Children England and the GLA had all responded formally to the Working
Together consultation, and offered to share their responses with Ian.
ACTION:
NHS London, Children England and GLA to email their responses to Ian Dean
5.
Sector led improvement for London Children’s Services and summary of London
SLAC inspection reports.
5.1
Cheryl Coppell gave an update on the sector led improvement (SLI) programme for London
Children’s Services;
5.2
A piece of work has been undertaken to give support to those boroughs with adequate /
inadequate inspections; a support programme will be put in place for them to prepare for
any follow up inspection.
5.3
A half day seminar has been set to look at sharing findings; to help understand how
boroughs can learn and improve effectiveness through the inspection process
5.4
Sharon Long (Children England) informed the group that they could provide support to
those boroughs with adequate/inadequate inspections if any issues relating to the voluntary
sector were raised.
ACTIONS:
SLI to remain as a standing item on the London Board agenda
Key issues from re- inspections to be brought to the Board
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6.
Safeguarding in the NHS
6.1
Trish Morris-Thomson updated the group and presented a report of the latest developments
within NHS London – attached at appendix 2. Trish also reported that Dr Caroline
Alexander would be joining the Board as a new health representative in the future.
ACTION:
Trish Morris-Thompson to arrange induction process for Dr Caroline Alexander as a
new health representative at the London Safeguarding Children Board
7.
Update from the Met Police Child Abuse Investigation Command
7.1
Peter Spindler briefly updated the group on recent developments within the Met Police
Child Abuse Investigation Command, including:



Ongoing work on the quality of child protection plans;
Cuts taking place in the Metropolitan Police of up to £514 million by 2015, focussed
on keeping police on the streets and therefore liable to impact most strongly on
wider strategic and managerial function.
Met Police are unlikely to remain aligned along the current 33 borough boundaries.
7.2
Ian Dean reported that Keith Niven and others would be attending the next meeting of the
London child protection managers network to discuss some of this work and other
emerging issues.
7.3
Cheryl Coppell raised concerns about the recently published MOPAC gangs strategy,
which made no mention of safeguarding. Lynne Abrams said she would report back on this.
ACTION:
Lynne Abrahms (MOPAC) to report back London Board concerns regarding
safeguarding not being mentioned in the MOPAC Gangs strategy
8.
Papers for sign off
The following papers were agreed for sign off.
8.1
Safeguarding performance information for LAPS
The Board suggested that consideration be given to the viability of including indicators
around the success of court applications and health visitor information, but approved the
proposed safeguarding performance information for LAPS subject to this consideration.
8.2
London Board draft conference programme – 10 December 2012
Approved by the Board, on the understanding that a replacement be identified for the
recently departed Children’s Minister.
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9.
Any other business
9.1
NHS London
Trish Morris-Thompson shared a letter from Kingston hospital, raising concerns that Surrey
council would not distribute notification lists of children subject to a child protection plan.
Cheryl Coppell agreed to raise this point directly with the Chief Executive of Surrey CC on
behalf of the London Safeguarding Children Board
ACTION:
Cheryl Coppell to write to Surrey Chief Executive re: sharing notification lists of
children subject to a child protection plan.
9.2
MOPAC
Lynne Abrams (MOPAC) asked how best to access individual LSCB annual reports. The
Board advised that these are not collated centrally, but should be available from each
LSCB website.
Lynne also advised the Board that the Office of the Children Commissioner’s report into
child sexual exploitation in gangs and groups was due for publication shortly, and the Board
asked that it be put on the agenda for discussion in November.
ACTION:
OCC report – agenda item at the November London Safeguarding Children Board
meeting
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Appendix 1
LONDON HAVENS COMMISSIONING REVIEW – Staff and stakeholder update - AUGUST 2012
The London Havens Project
In autumn 2011, the NHS (London Sexual Health Programme) and Metropolitan Police Service (Sapphire
Command) commissioned MBARC to complete a sexual violence needs assessment for London; identify
issues and priorities for the next 3-year commissioning strategy for the London Havens; and engage and
consult core stakeholders. A second phase (April to September 2012) was subsequently commissioned
with additional objectives to:
1. Evaluate options for future provision, building on findings from the needs assessment and stakeholder
engagement to date, and assessing the relative costs and benefits of possible service models;
2. Support development and implementation of arrangements for a resilient paediatrics service across
London, with clearer pathways and protocols across community and Havens providers;
3. Support work by the Police and NHS to improve arrangements for 24/7 access to the Havens and
reduce operational delays;
4. Work with a range of partners to create clearer and easier pathways for victims of sexual violence into
specialist Police and NHS teams; and
5. Engage social services, safeguarding, and primary care colleagues in joint work to improve provision of
and access to services to meet longer-term needs and facilitate safe transition from specialist sexual
violence services to community support.
Summary of progress to August 2012
The London Sexual Violence Needs Assessment was published in July 2012 and discussions are under way
about how to make a summary of the findings more accessible to a wider audience over the coming
months. Prior to final publication, emerging findings were used to support discussions and consideration of
options during the Havens review process to date, and supported discussions at engagement events and
key meetings.
The needs assessment and review process to date have identified a number of issues and generated a
range of options for future service delivery, relating both to core elements of Havens service provision and
potential changes to contractual arrangements. During this period, the Havens have continued to provide
core services despite temporary closure of the Whitechapel Haven from March to July. In addition, Havens
and MPS staff have continued to work towards better understanding of existing challenges (such as the
Case Tracking initiative looking at pathways from reporting to the Police through referral for forensic
medical examination and attendance at Havens) and to pilot new ways of improving services (such as the
‘opt-out’ referral pilot, the interim arrangement for paediatrics referrals, and the Mental Health ISVA
pilot).
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The MBARC project team continues to be led by director Michael Bell and lead consultant Helen Davies,
supported by new associate consultant Stephen John with input from researcher Alasdair Stuart and
associate Stephanie Reardon. Based on the needs assessment and review process, MBARC and the Havens
commissioners have:
 Identified core elements for future Havens service provision, including single point of direct 24/7
telephone access, faster access to appointments, and increased consistency and clarity across London
 Considered options for future service delivery including headline appraisal of the risks and benefits of
continuing with the current three-Trust model or developing new lead provider models
 Reached an in-principle decision with the Havens host trusts and NHS London to move towards a single
contract for all Havens services (adults, young people and paediatrics)
 Achieved in-principle agreement on arrangements for a lead provider to manage delivery (across
existing sites) for adults and develop a single service for children and some young people
 Set out next steps to develop single lead provider contracts which will commence April 2013 with
transitional governance and operational structures / arrangements in place from September 2012 to
March 2013
 Negotiated assurance requirements and processes to support reopening of Whitechapel Haven during
the Olympics period
 Worked with a range of partners towards clarifying the Havens remit and developing more clearly
defined needs-based pathways for children, young people and adults.
Staff and stakeholder engagement has been a core part of the process and included meetings, discussions,
and correspondence with Havens managers, clinicians and staff, clinicians and staff from other related
services, operational and strategic MPS colleagues, third sector organisations and community groups. In
addition, there have been key meetings to consider the needs assessment and key issues for London,
discuss emerging options for future improvements to services, and progress planning towards new
pathways and service models:
 Paediatric Review Seminar (30th November 2011) engaged relevant experts in a roundtable discussion
to consider and shape future model/s for paediatric SARC provision at the London Havens;
 Havens Review Seminar (6th February 2012) involved commissioners, provider trusts, operational staff
and external partners in shaping future models of service provision by the London Havens;
 Presentation to Havens Strategic Board (1st March 2012) to present emerging findings from needs
assessment and stakeholder events and initial options appraisal for three- or single-provider models;
 Host Trust Meeting (29th June 2012) to reach in-principle decisions about lead provider/s for London
Havens service and consider potential to reopen Whitechapel Haven to provide SARC services during
the 2012 Games.
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Summary of next steps
Partnership work with the Havens commissioners, host trusts, staff, MPS, and NHS-London over coming
months will focus on ensuring Havens services continue to be delivered and developed whilst progress to
significantly different contractual, management, and governance arrangements is being achieved. The
intention continues to be to improve timely access to the Havens, ensure they provide consistently high
quality, responsive services to meet individuals’ needs, and efficiently support criminal justice processes
where individuals are willing and able to report.
During the transition period (September 2012 to March 2013) a new strategic Transition Board will be
established by the commissioners, and a Transition Planning Group established by the preferred lead
provider and NHS London. Key tasks during this period will include:
- Supporting progress towards new service specification and contractual arrangements;
- Staff and stakeholder engagement and formal consultation as appropriate;
- Completion of Equalities Impact Assessment and inclusion of relevant findings in transition
planning;
- Refining needs-based pathways into, through, and out of Havens for children, adolescents, and
adults;
- Identification of staffing, premises, and other resource requirements for future service models;
- Seeking to secure involvement of relevant community services to appropriately meet longer-term
needs;
- Establishing streamlined management, communications, and governance arrangements.
A wide range of NHS and police staff, third sector organisations, community groups, and other experts have
engaged in this project to date and the review has been enriched by the wealth of information, expertise
and experience they have contributed. We look forward to your continued involvement in this process and
will provide further update as transition plans progress and pathways are further devleoped.
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Appendix 2
Progress Report 6th September 2012
NHS London Safeguarding Children Review Group
Title:
Action requested:
For information
Executive Summary:
This report summarises the progress against the NHS London
safeguarding children work-streams including the projects for workforce
development, practice and commissioning support, service development,
‘Handover and Closure’ progress, inspections and other emerging issues
from a national perspective that may impact on the safeguarding children
in the NHS in London.
Summary of
recommendations
Reference to related /
other documents:
Date paper completed:
Author name and title:
None



Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Gov) 2010
DH Operating Framework 2011-12 and 2012-13
Government Response to the Munro Review of Child Protection
in England – one year on June 2012
May 2012
Briony Ladbury
SHA Director name
and title:
Trish Morris-Thompson
PROGRESS REPORT TO NHS LONDON SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN REVIEW GROUP 6th
September 2012
1. Introduction
NHS London (NHSL) continues to prioritise safeguarding children through the transition period.
Work-streams include workforce and NHS NCB/CCG development, providing and promoting
leadership, monitoring organisational change, auditing current arrangements and advising on
safeguarding improvement programmes. Multi-agency engagement is sustained through
membership of the London Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).
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2. Workforce Development
Health Visiting / Family Nurse Partnership Programme
Recruiting to Health Visitor training commissions this year has been successful. The process for
filling commissions for September 2012 intake is now complete and the process to fill commissions
for January 2013 commenced, the aim is to fill 374 training commissions for 2012/2013. The
recognised challenge to provide sufficient clinical placements for the increased number of students
is being tested and more work is needed in the coming weeks and months to increase capacity by
using different models of supervision and the incentive scheme. This scheme is where Trusts form
a partnership where a student(s) will have their clinical placement in a Trust with Practice
Teacher/service capacity and on qualifying will be employed in the Trust needing the growth.
Currently 195 HV students are scheduled to start their training in September 2012 with an agreed
clinical placement. Higher Education Institutes have confirmed capacity for the required number of
students to commence in January 2013.
The Department of Health funded projects continue and the next formal report is required by
December 2012. An expert HV has been appointed to lead and manage the Community of
Practice/Clinical Network Project, this is seen as an important project to embed and support
emerging best practice and change, through transition. The follow-on Technology Project will run a
pilot using hand held devices for information and guidance for families. The Practice Teacher
Project starts in September 2012. Work has started on new marketing materials for advertising
from January to fill the training commissions for September 2013. This work will link with a project
to utilise the ‘Britain’s Nurse’ web-site, and build communications amongst HV and the wider
profession and community to gain better understanding and attract the best applicants.
The 2012/2013 growth trajectory for London of 223 FTE Health Visiting staff in post will now start
to be monitored as Trusts begin to interview and recruit from the anticipated 140 newly qualified
HV in London (from September 2012), as well as report the outcomes of other
activities, for example; retention schemes; flexible retirement, to increase the number of HV. More
work is needed to have clear measurement of progress in relation to the new service offer/vision.
This is being led nationally and developed locally.
To increase the focus on Family Nurse Partnership growth, a presentation was given at the last HV
/ FNP Programme Management Board (July) by Pip O’Byrne, the FNP lead for London. The need
to engage Local Authorities has been identified as important for London to achieve the required
growth in the FNP programme, the idea of holding an event for LA’s is being considered.
A second cohort of HV and School Nurses are scheduled to commence the leadership programme
in September 2012.
Handover and closure documents are being developed for the HV / FNP Programme.
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NHS London Leadership for Safeguarding Programme
Three cohorts of ‘Leadership for Safeguarding’ training continue. Two cohorts will be finishing in
the Autumn 2012 and the third in February 2013. There are currently no plans to commission
further courses as the leadership programme is due to be revised and modernised to reflect the
NHS reforms and the new edition of Working Together that will be published in December of
January. Who will host and fund any further safeguarding children leadership events is yet to be
decided.
Safeguarding Children Health Networks
The Designated Professionals’ group for London is continuing to meet, as are several groups of
named professionals. NHS London continues to support these groups.
Establishing a network for Named GPs and Named Doctors continues to be a challenge. Further
work needs to be undertaken to engage the named doctors working in NHS Trusts. The details of
Named GP’s are being collected. Currently there are 24 Named GPs currently logged on the NHS
London database. Their time commitment is variable, most commonly either one or two PAs
(programmed) activity have been commissioned to cover the role.
3. Clinical Commissioning Group Development
A first and interim edition of an NHS London ‘Aide Memoire for Clinical Commissioning Groups’
was circulated in the summer, and an updated version is in draft. The final version will be
completed when the NHS Accountability Framework for Safeguarding Children is published. The
Accountability Framework was due to be published in May 2012 but to date is still awaited.
4. NHS London Handover and Closure Group
A group to ensure the safe transfer of safeguarding arrangements in March 2013 has been set up
by the Chief Nurse directorate, chaired by the Deputy Chief Nurse for London. A comprehensive
document is being prepared that is specific to safeguarding children activity at NHS London to
enable a well informed handover and easy identification of the relevant safeguarding children
documents and contacts, needed to ensure the work programme transfers safely.
6. NHS reform, transition and organisational development
The NHS London Safeguarding and Children’s Services Advisor continues to monitor
organisational changes and NHS structures in provider organisations, including those currently in
the Foundation Trust pipeline.
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The London Safeguarding Children Board is updated on the progress of local NHS reforms at the
main quarterly Board meeting and also at the sub-group for all Local Authority Safeguarding
Children Board Chairs meeting that is hosted by the London Safeguarding Children Board on a
quarterly basis.
7. Ofsted CQC Inspection and Performance Management
A programme of inspections of Safeguarding Children and LAC services for all London Boroughs
has concluded. It is the last time that this inspection framework will be used. A new inspection
process is being designed that incorporates all of the inspectorates that are involved with delivering
services to children and families. Safeguarding and Looked After Children Services will be
inspected separately in the future.
Local performance management of the action plans in place to meet the inspection
recommendations is undertaken as part of the bi-monthly performance reviews. The NHS London
safeguarding children advisor reviews the action plans and progress prior to the meetings to inform
the performance manager of any emerging issues that need to be covered in the meeting.
Ofsted/CQC inspections – action plans yet to be submitted
The following action plans have yet to be submitted to NHS London for performance monitoring.
Harrow
The inspection final report has been published. The action plan has
been requested.
Croydon
The final report has been published. The action plan has been
requested. A safeguarding children Cluster meeting took place on
23rd to discuss issues in the inspection. An action plan is to be
developed and submitted.
Southwark
The report has been received, an action plan is to be requested.
Hackney
The report has been received, an action plan is to be requested
Wandsworth
The report has been published and discussed at a Cluster
safeguarding children team meeting. The action plan will be
forwarded to NHS London.
Kingston
The report has been published and discussed at a Cluster
safeguarding children team meeting. The action plan will be
forwarded to NHS London.
Barking & Dagenham.
The Inspection report was published on 27th July 2012. The action
plan has been requested.
Tower Hamlets.
The Inspection report has been published and the action plan has
been requested.
In the Boroughs that were judged to be ‘inadequate’ overall, the health contribution was
consistently judged as ‘good’.
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NHS London Safeguarding Children Audit Programme
The Safeguarding arrangements in London Walk in Centres overview report and individual audit
findings were subject to a Freedom of Information Request in July 2012. An article sighting the
audit report was reported in the Health Services Journal on 23rd August 2012. Any current action
plans have been subsequently called in for review.
All reports, undertaken by external consultants are to be reviewed by NHS London prior to sign off.
Those to be reviewed include:




Designated Professionals Responsibility and Authority Audit
Audit of Cluster arrangements.
Audit and review of arrangements for Child Death Review
Audit of the NHS services in London for Looked After Children
Serious Case Review Monitoring
Serious case reviews (SCR’s) are still being monitored from notification through to the
implementation of all action plans. The action plans form part of the monitoring undertaken by the
performance management team and also feature in the Ofsted/CQC inspection criteria. Reports
on the status and trends of SCR are reported regularly to the NHS London Senior Management
Team and to the Safeguarding Children Review Group.
All SCR health Internal Management Reviews reports are audited. The audit criteria, aligns to the
old Ofsted criteria, and will need to be reviewed when the system for undertaking SCRs is clarified
following the publication of the ‘Learning and Improvement’ Guidance that is to be published
alongside ‘Working Together’ in December 2012 or January 2013.
‘Development work for the SCR database is currently being commissioned (quotes being
evaluated week ending 31/8/12) with the intention of work being complete by the end of
September. The work will:



Enable capture of changes to the audit forms made earlier in 2012.
Improve the detail and format of reporting to the SCR team, eliminating the need to keep
records in Excel.
Enhance case tracking and automate production of data/graphics that presently requires
additional processing using Excel.’
6. London Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub Project
NHS London continues to engage fully with the MASH project in London, and meetings with
Designated Professionals in implementer Boroughs continue. A model job description for a MASH
professional has been agreed and circulated. A local implementation Project Lead has been
employed on a consultancy basis by the medical directorate, and will work alongside local
designated professionals on their local implementation plans until the end of December 2012.
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7. Department of Health (DH) and NHS Confederation Safeguarding Children Strategic
Groups
Quarterly meetings involving all of the Strategic Health Authority safeguarding children leads have
continued at the DH and the NHS Confederation. Recent discussions have focussed on the
rewrite of ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ and the proposed post reforms accountability
framework for safeguarding children.
Re-write of ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ (Department for Education- DfE)
NHS London submitted a response to the Department for education at the end of August 2012.
The consultation invited comments about a suite of three documents, the revised ‘Working
Together to Safeguard Children’ Statutory Guidance, a supplementary document ‘Managing
Individual Cases: the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families’
and a supplementary document entitled ‘Learning and Improvement Guidance’. The
publication of the final documents is expected in December 2012 or January 2013.
The revised documents are much shorter than the previous edition, and the health
guidance, for example previously contained in Chapter 2 has been reduced from 10 pages
to 7 short paragraphs. There is concern about the brevity of the document from health and
other agencies.
Other issues on the national agenda include
The development of a national Child Protection Information System (CPIS) to flag children subject
to child protection plans is being progressed by the national project for IT (NPfIT). A presentation
has been arranged for the project leads to present their plans to the Designated Professionals for
Safeguarding Children Network Meeting in September 2012.
The development of an NHS NCB Accountability Framework for safeguarding children is still in
development. An interim guidance document is expected soon, with a more robust version being
agreed after the new edition of ‘Working Together’ has been published.
Domestic Violence Homicide Reviews are to become statutory in October 2012. Safeguarding
Children Leads are being asked to link with their local teams in recognition that children and young
people are highly likely to be involved the cases that are subject to review. Several high profile
cases where children have been murdered along with their mothers has raised public concern
about the issue.
8. Next Steps for safeguarding work-programme




Review and presentation and sign-off of the Children’s Audit Programme reports
Continue to monitor SCR activity for NHS Organisations
Continue to grow and support the Clinical Networks for Safeguarding Children
Ensure that Safeguarding Children is linked into the CCG and HWB development Programmes
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



Consider the training and development opportunities for Lead Executives/Clinical
Commissioning Groups.
Continue to Monitor safeguarding children arrangements and advise PCT Clusters
Ensure safeguarding children is updated on the CRAF.
Participate and progress the MASH and other multi-agency initiatives currently underway in
London.
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