Issue - meetings

Report of Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities, Councillor Victoria Atherstone

RESOLVED THAT:

1.            the updated safeguarding policy is adopted;

2.            authority is delegated to the Director of Governance, Housing and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Safety and Communities and One Legal, to amend the commissioning and procurement section of the safeguarding policy once the relevant Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership guidance and training becomes available.

The Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities introduced her report which presents updates to the safeguarding policy. Last revised in December 2023, she said the policy now reflects housing services being brought back in-house, incorporates national best practice, and better reflects the strategic safeguarding framework in Gloucestershire. It strengthens the council’s framework for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, ensuring that the council applies the policy without prejudice and discrimination. The policy also supports the council in its Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).

She said the roles and responsibility section has also been amended to include the establishment of a corporate safeguarding group which will enable discussion of concerns, the dissemination of best practice, and additional support for staff. The group will also contribute to annual safeguarding audits. There is now specific guidance on the use of images of children and young people, particularly where parental consent has not been obtained, such as in the use of CCTV for community safeguarding concerns.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.            the updated safeguarding policy is adopted;

2.            authority is delegated to the Director of Governance, Housing and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Safety and Communities and One Legal, to amend the commissioning and procurement section of the safeguarding policy once the relevant Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership guidance and training becomes available.