Issue - meetings

Report number CEX381 by the Chief Executive.                        (Enclosure)

DECISION: To approve the Child Protection Policy as submitted and to grant delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet portfolio holder, to make minor changes to the policy as appropriate.

The Resources & Assets portfolio holder presented report number CEX381 prepared by the Chief Executive  in which he explained that the Council was required, under the Children Act 2004, to make appropriate arrangements to ensure the protection and safeguarding of children and young people.  For a large organisation like the Council with a wide range of services that impact on children and young people, the only robust means of discharging these obligations was to prepare and maintain a properly resourced Child Protection Policy.

At its meeting held on 1^st October 2007, the Cabinet had considered a draft Child Protection Policy and appointed the Resources & Assets portfolio holder as the executive champion for Children and Young Persons.  The report went on to refer to the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board which had been established as part of the wider development of the Children and Young Persons Agenda generally.  The Chief Executive explained that arising from this body there may be further minor changes to definitions and contact arrangements.  The Chief Executive was therefore seeking delegated authority to be granted to himself, in consultation with the portfolio champion, to make any necessary minor amendments to ensure the policy remained up to date. The portfolio holder moved adoption of the policy.

Members were briefly advised on the scope of the policy, reporting arrangements and the handling of any complaints.  A programme of training had been requested from the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board open to all service managers and those who work with children and young people on a regular basis.  The Deputy Leader advised the Council that the introduction of this policy would address a “red”, high risk element in the authority’s risk register.  The motion was seconded and carried following a vote.