Agenda item

The Committee considered the Authority’s Annual Report on Adult Safeguarding, which provided information on the role, functions and activities undertaken by the Authority with regard to Adult Safeguarding and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding.  As the statutory organisation responsible for adult safeguarding, the Authority was required to have effective arrangements in place to ensure vulnerable adults are protected from harm.  The Authority undertakes its role in close partnership with Dyfed Powys Police, the Hywel Dda University Health Board and other statutory and non-statutory organisations.  The Authority was also the supervisory body for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard. The report detailed some of the key improvements made to the DoLS arrangements and forthcoming changes and challenges.  

The report related to the last financial year and summarised the national policy context of Adult Safeguarding at that time, including the implications of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and provided a variety of information including:-

·         National and regional strategic position

·         operational arrangements

·         key achievements and significant events

·         key process changes

·         quality assurance

·         partnership working

·         performance and activity information

A number of questions were raised to which the officers responded.  The main matters were as follows:

• Reference was made to the fact that there were only 3 officers with approximately 1000 patients each which results on patients having to wait.

The Senior Safeguarding Manager advised that the 3 officers being referred to were dedicated to Safeguarding referrals.  There were 32 Social Workers trained to undertake DOLS assessment with 2 full-time dedicated assessors.  The appointment of the Operational Team Manager post had been delayed due to a recent inspection but the appointment was now underway.

• Officers were asked for more information on the multi-agency forum and how the Authority worked with the police.

The Committee was advised that the Authority liaised daily with the police with close working links with the Carmarthenshire local Safeguarding operation group.  The Committee was advised that there was an agreed protocol for reporting concerns and sharing information and that the police were very proactive.

• A question was asked that in light of the recent Panorama programme highlighting the abuse at the Durham care home, could officers confirm if Carmarthenshire had any people placed out of County that the Authority may have concerns about.

The Head of Mental Health and Learning disabilities confirmed that the Authority did have patients out of county however robust processes were in place to monitor. In the event of any concerns the Authority would work with the home to improve matters but if there were no improvements and the Authority was not confident the individual could be safeguarded an alternative placement would be sought.  Assurance was given that nobody was placed with the organisation mentioned in the Panorama programme.  It was stated that the intention was to bring people back to the County for care and that integrated Funding would be used to develop units locally.  It was also stated that the Authority is looking to increase the use of supported living which would reduce the numbers reliant on residential care. 

• Concern was raised regarding the use of private placements and that it could result in patients being “out of sight out of mind”.

The Director of Community Services stated that due to a shortage of provision in Wales the Health Board does buy from the private sector and mostly the care provided is of excellent quality.

RESOLVED that the report be received.