Overall purpose
The Policy and Procedures working group will work on behalf of the Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board (DSAB) and the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Safeguarding Adults Board (BCPSAB) to ensure that there are local standards, policies and procedures in place in relation to safeguarding adults at risk.
These will reflect national standards, regulations, guidance and case law and will apply to all agencies who have contact with adults at risk across Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Objectives
- ensure that local standards, policies and procedures reflect national standards, regulations, best practice, guidance and case law
- support individual agencies and multi-agency groups in producing appropriate policies/procedures/protocols that promote safeguarding and meet agreed national and local standards
- collaborate with other Safeguarding Adult Boards in relation to these issues
- audit multi-agency procedures in relation to specific issues, as required by the Local Safeguarding Boards
- support the implementation of each policy and procedure in each agency, and support any integrated work needed in the delivery of policy implementation
- liaise with and respond to Quality Assurance working groups around issues arising from audits in relation to deficiencies in standards, policies or procedures
- liaise with the Training and Workforce Development working group around commissioning and/or delivery of training.
- coordinate the launch of any adult safeguarding procedures and new policies.
- share knowledge and skills in relation to Adult Safeguarding.
- consider and respond to proposals for amendments to existing policies and procedures by partner organisations.
- review procedures and guidance to ensure they meet current legislation, government guidance and evidential best practice.
- contribute to the Boards’ Annual Reports and Business Plans
- promote development of protocols for the sharing of information on safeguarding adults
Liaison will continue to take place with cross boundary boards in order to agree cross boundary policies and procedures where appropriate. In areas where this is not possible, local protocols will be explored.
On behalf of the Boards to monitor the Communications Strategy - the group will put in place mechanisms to deliver the Boards’ public and organisational communication.
Role of the chair
The working group will be chaired by a member of the DSAB or the BCPSAB.
The chair will:
- be responsible for developing the subgroup work plan and delivering key outcomes within the set timescales by coordinating joint agency work, allocating specific tasks for other group members to carry out, tracking and recording progress back to the 2 Boards
- alert the Boards to blocks to progress or failure by any individual agencies to engage
- discuss any non-attendance by core agencies in advance
- to ensure the meetings are well administered, that agencies receive their invitations, agenda, and papers a week in advance, wherever possible
Membership and attendance
The chair will ensure that the appropriate representatives from partner agencies are represented in the group.
Current members with authority to make decisions on behalf of their local authority/statutory organisation from the following:
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
- Dorset Council
- Dorset Police
- Health - may be represented by any or all of the following organisations:
- Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group
- Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust
- Dorset County Hospital
- Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts
As well as:
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Safeguarding Adults Board Business Manager
- Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board Business Manager
- Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service
The chair will be supported by the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Safeguarding Adults Board Business Manager.
The subgroup will function when there is at least one representative from each Local Authority, Health, Police, or they have delegated authority.
Frequency of meetings
The Policy and Procedures working group will meet every 3 months, unless there are unforeseen or exceptional circumstances.
Reporting arrangements
The chair of the Policy and Procedures working group will report to the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Dorset Safeguarding Adults Boards at every meeting.
Monitoring: annual terms of reference compliance report, detailing attendance.