Issue - meetings

To consider and comment on a revised Safeguarding Policy for the District Council.

Approved the contents of the Safeguarding Policy

By way of a report by the Lead Safeguarding Officer (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered the content of a new Policy and procedures for safeguarding vulnerable people in Huntingdonshire, including children from abuse.  The Policy will apply to all District Council employees and Members and is intended to promote the safety of those using Council services whilst protecting employees and Members from false allegations.

Having been advised that the document had been endorsed by the Employees’ Liaison Advisory Group and Employment Panel and subject to minor consequential amendments to the text of the CRB self declaration form, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the new Safeguarding Policy appended to the report now submitted be approved.

To consider and comment on a revised Safeguarding Policy for the District Council.

With the assistance of a report by the Lead Safeguarding Officer (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Panel considered the content of a new Policy and procedures for safeguarding vulnerable people, including children from abuse. The Policy would apply to all District Council employees and was intended to promote the safety of those using Council services whilst at the same time protecting employees and Councillors from false allegations.

Having received an explanation of the proposed arrangements for implementing and monitoring compliance with the new policy and procedures, the Panel emphasised the need to ensure that the Policy was being followed by District Council Managers and that checks were being undertaken where necessary across the Council. With this in mind and having noted that a Section 11 Audit would be undertaken shortly, it was suggested that an implementation timetable and monitoring system should be developed to indicate the progress which had been made.

Whereupon, and having noted that further changes would be required shortly and on a regular basis, it was

RESOLVED

a)  that the new Safeguarding Policy appended to the report now submitted be approved; and

b)  that the Chief Officers Management Team and the Lead Safeguarding Officer be authorised to make necessary adjustments to the Policy in the period until it is next reviewed in June 2014; and

c)  that an implementation timetable and monitoring system be developed to indicate the progress made.