The Wolverhampton Safeguarding Adults Board and Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children's Board reports found that there is a strong commitment to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults, and that frontline practice in Wolverhampton continues to improve.
The annual reports highlight a number of developments which have taken place over the last 12 months.
Within children's services, they include the creation of a new Quality Assurance Committee to enhance the Board's capacity to scrutinise frontline practice, the completion of a series of multi agency case file audits focusing on key themes including child sexual exploitation and children and young people of parents with mental ill health, and the updating of guidance in relation to a wide range of safeguarding areas.
Key activities undertaken by the Safeguarding Adults Board include continued investment in Health Watch Wolverhampton to strengthen engagement with service users, the reinvigoration of its Quality and Performance Committee so that it is better placed to monitor frontline practice, and the completion of an audit of its safeguarding arrangements.
The Boards were also instrumental in the implementation of the combined Wolverhampton Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub, which has created a whole family approach to the safeguarding of both children and adults.
Both reports outline key priorities for the year ahead to ensure that safeguarding practice continues to go from strength to strength.
Independent Chair of Wolverhampton Safeguarding Boards Linda Sanders said: "The annual reports provide a rigorous and transparent assessment of the performance and effectiveness of local services in safeguarding children and adults with care and support needs, and how they are promoting their welfare and wellbeing.
"They are thought provoking and challenging, and should reassure the reader that professionals and the wider community are committed to making a positive difference to the lives of vulnerable children and adults in the City of Wolverhampton."
The reports can be found on the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Boards website at Type=links;Linkid=10013;Title=Safeguarding Board Annual Reports;Target=_blank;.
Anyone who suspects a child is being abused or neglected should call 01902 555392 during office hours or 01902 552999 out of hours. If the child is in immediate danger of serious harm or has been left alone, call 999. Anyone who is concerned about the welfare of an adult should call 01902 551199 during office hours or 01902 552999 out of hours. In an emergency, always dial 999.
- released: Tuesday 16 January, 2018