Agenda item

The Committee considered the Annual Report on Adult Safeguarding (2015-16), which related to the last financial year and summarised the national policy context and the implications of the Social Services and Well Being (Wales) Act 2014.

The Head of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Services introduced the new Senior Safeguarding Manager and thanked the Senior Manager for Mental Health and Learning Disability Services, for covering the role in the interim.

The key issues in the report were highlighted to Members and it was explained that this was the last report from the Carmarthenshire Safeguarding Adults Board, as the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act established a Regional Board. It was noted that the Regional Board was currently chaired by the Director of Powys County Council and the lead partner for Adult Safeguarding was Carmarthenshire County Council. The financial year 2015/16 had been a transitional year for the implementation of the new Act and development of the regional structure. It was highlighted that it would be useful for Members to receive further information on the Act and it was suggested for an all Members Seminar to be held to consider the Act one year on and what progress had been made. The Committee agreed that this would be beneficial after the local elections in May 2017 so that new Members would also be able to receive this information and requested that it be held in June 2017.

The Senior Manager for Mental Health and Learning Disability Services highlighted the main areas for the safeguarding of particular groups, such as older people in care homes. The Committee was informed of the Flynn Report “In Search of Accountability” following a Ministerial commissioned review into Operation Jasmine (an investigation into alleged abuse in care homes of older people). As a result the Regional Board was requested to develop a position statement and an action plan and progress against the Plan.

The Committee was provided with information on operational arrangements and case studies of how referrals were dealt with by the Safeguarding Team. The performance information indicated that the main client category for adult protection referrals was people over the age of 65 and the most likely place where alleged abuse occurred was in care homes. In regards to type of abuse the main category was neglect. It was noted that it was easier to identify issues in care homes than in people’s own homes, as there were visits from professionals and families. It was highlighted that 152 referrals had led to investigations in 2015/16 and there was a trend of increasing number every year. This trend and the lowering of the threshold for adult safeguarding had resulted in more referrals to the Team. The Committee expressed concerns that there was a small safeguarding team to deal with referrals and asked whether this team would be increased. Officers confirmed that it had challenged the Council to consider increasing the pool of investigating officers and it was highlighted that safeguarding was everyone’s business. The Committee noted that additional funding should be made available from National Government for the implementation of new legislation.

The Committee queried the outcomes for Carmarthenshire and whether there had been any prosecutions during 2015/16 following allegations of abuse. The Senior Manager for Mental Health and Learning Disability Services explained that not all the investigations would have been criminal and there was further work to be undertaken to assist with prosecutions. There was a lottery funded pilot project being undertaken in two areas (Carmarthenshire being one), which was concerned with justice for older people who had been victims of abuse. It was noted that sometimes people did not want to take out prosecutions but just wanted to stop the abuse. In addition there were occasions, such as in Operation Jasmine, where there was insufficient evidence for the Crown Prosecution Service to take matters further. It was noted that there had been no prosecutions during 2015/16, however, there had been in previous years.

The Committee expressed concerns regarding the care homes who were placed under measures of embargo, escalating concerns and terminated contracts and asked for assurances that people had not been put at risk. Officers explained that they were Welsh Government procedures and there were a variety of reasons for them to be implemented, such as practice, staffing or management concerns. It was highlighted that these figures had reduced significantly since the introduction of a robust Provider Performance Monitoring Group. It was noted that escalating concerns protocol was a very intense process that managed risks and concerns through a robust action plan. Members queried whether the Council would still place residents in homes that were under escalating concerns procedures. The Head of Mental Health and Learning Disability explained that each case would be considered on an individual basis and it was confirmed that relatives would be informed of any concerns. It was asked how long concerns would be ongoing until they required the escalating concerns procedure to be implemented. Officers informed Members that it was national terminology and if concerns were raised then action would be taken.

The Committee agreed that the Head of Mental Health and Learning Disability would bring an update report on the Regional Action Plan that had resulted from work around Operation Jasmine and it would also include further information on the escalating concerns processes.

RESOLVED

9.1       that the report be unanimously received;

9.2       that an all Members Seminar be arranged for June 2017 to provide information on the Social Services and Wellbeing Act (Wales) 2014 and progress that has been made in its implementation.