The April PSAP meeting was cancelled due to the onset of the pandemic and demands on partnership agencies, with agreement to hold future meetings virtually until further notice.
From May the PSAP Executive Group meetings were held monthly rather than quarterly to maintain oversight of partner agencies’ issues and any patterns of concern during the pandemic.
Communications focused on the Business as Usual message for adult safeguarding during the pandemic, and targeted training material was provided for volunteers recruited to support citizens.
Updates were received on Caring for Plymouth activity for those self-isolating, PPE arrangements, and Covid related support for care setting providers.
July’s PSAP meeting was held under the strategic theme of Engagement- the discussion was in two parts: the impact of Covid 19 on services and agencies’ work so far, and updates on activity to date and plans for the Engagement project going forward.
Other areas of focus included:
- future models for commissioning of Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs)
- safeguarding training placed on hold due to pandemic restrictions
- ongoing monitoring of Covid period data
- Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) Covid 19 Insight project
- review of PSAP membership and Constitution
- alignment with the City’s other partnership boards
October’s PSAP meeting was themed under the strategic priority of Learning; areas covered included an update on the recommendations and actions from the SAR ‘DP’, the introduction of the new Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) regional safeguarding Lead and presentation by the local DWP Vulnerable Customer team, and partners’ further preparedness for the pandemic
Other areas of focus included:
- the National SAR Analysis project
- update on the Learning Disabilities Mortality Review programme (LeDeR)
- agreement for the Executive Group meetings to return to being quarterly
- the anticipated Domestic Abuse Act, implications for SABs and links to Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence (DASV) sub group of Safer Plymouth (Community Safety Partnership)
January’s PSAP meeting was themed under the strategic priority of Assurance; discussion focused on future mechanisms to gain assurance on specific areas, development of a partner self-assessment framework, introduction of the new performance dashboard model, planning and commissioning of an audit of self-neglect concerns, and a presentation to introduce the new Devon & Cornwall Police Safeguarding Improvement Hub.
Other areas of focus included:
- reinstatement of multi-agency safeguarding training via online meetings.
- feedback to work on the national SAR Quality Markers
- learning from SARs
- review of PSAP structure
- development of a partner reporting form to identify areas of concern
- review of the outgoing business plan and planning for the incoming plan.
- review and development of the SAR policy and framework
| Plans | Achievements |
|---|---|
| To continue to meet statutory duties, and progress SAR recommendations via the Development sub group | The PSAP has continued to meet its statutory duties, SAR recommendations have been achieved with ongoing assurance sought from Partners |
| To continue with the established PSAP structure and assurance cycle, with continued focus on partner participation and wider engagement. | The assurance cycle continues to provide a focus for partner participation and engagement |
| To continue support for SAB Independent Chairs’ and SAB managers’ national, regional and peninsula networks and development of communities of practice | This support has continued, introducing national learning related to Domestic Abuse and Covid-19 |
| To clarify and redefine the policy for and approach to Safeguarding Adult Reviews, putting learning at the heart of the process | A revised SAR policy statement has been developed and agreed |
| To develop a performance management framework that captures learning from national initiatives and benchmarks local practice in key adult safeguarding services. | A performance management framework is currently been developed with a view to establish a sub-group to take forward the work |
| To continue to review multi-agency training delivery and establish accessible routes and formats. | Training delivery was reviewed due to Covid-19, learning moved online using digital and interactive resources |
| To develop a learning framework to capture data and experience from the Covid-19 crisis to provide assurance of the safeguarding system’s resilience. | Safeguarding data has continued to be collected, with information used to provide assurance and inform future plans |