Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Social Services which presented the Annual Report of the Director of Social Services 2019/2020 (Appendix 1).

The Corporate Director of Social Services introduced the report and highlighted the main points in paragraph 6.4 Adult Services.  The Service Manager Children Looked After highlighted the main points contained in paragraph 6.3 Children’s Services. 

With regard to referrals a Member enquired when police visited a family if a Social Worker also attended with them and was there a police officer dedicated to providing that service.   The Service Manager Children Looked After said that it depended on the nature of the referral, if there were child protection concerns and those concerns had a criminal investigation element then a police officer would attend the referral.  There was a dedicated team of police officers via the public protection unit and joint enquiries under Section 47 of the Children’s Act could be undertaken whereby Social Services could make enquiries in relation to the welfare of the children and the police could investigate any criminal element of the concerns.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and endorse Option 2; namely that the report be accepted as provided.