Frontline staff praised as Suffolk boosts safeguarding despite pressures

Why it matters: Effective safeguarding directly impacts the safety and wellbeing of at-risk children, young people and adults in Suffolk communities.

By the numbers:

• Over 4,000 people reached with safeguarding information – up from around 500 in 2022

• 165 actions completed across all partners from case reviews

• Over 1,000 professionals attended free safeguarding webinars

• 12,627 e-learning training sessions completed by Children and Young People's Services staff

The big picture: Suffolk faces significant economic challenges impacting safeguarding needs like every county.

• In 2021, 10.9% of children under 16 were living in low-income families

• 49,018 households were considered to be in fuel poverty

These factors can increase family vulnerability and risk, making the Partnership's efforts to enhance multi-agency collaboration and improve public awareness crucial for community well-being.

The expanded reach of safeguarding information and training aims to address these socio-economic pressures and their potential impacts on child and adult safety.

Key improvements this year included:

• New multi-agency guidance developed on issues like financial abuse, self-neglect and hoarding

• Deeper scrutiny on concerns such as unrecognised sepsis, injuries to non-mobile babies, and all-age suicides

• Enhanced collaboration with wider partners like the Department for Work and Pensions and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service

However, the report identified some areas of improvement, including:

• Understanding the experiences of BAME communities

• Ensuring robust risk assessments and information sharing

• Responding to acute mental health crises

Between the lines: Despite increased service demand and pressures, frontline staff were praised for their continued dedication to protecting Suffolk residents. Delivering services £55,320 under budget should be commended, even if some residents question whether surplus funds should have been deployed.

What's next: The Partnership's priorities for 2024-25 include:

• Deepening assurance work

• Supporting practice improvements

• Extending scrutiny to new areas like rough sleeping

The bottom line: The significant increase in reach and engagement suggests more Suffolk residents are aware of safeguarding issues and know how to access help when needed, potentially leading to earlier interventions and better outcomes for vulnerable individuals.

Further reading: You can read the full report on the Suffolk County Council website.