Purpose

A Safeguarding Annual Report
has been prepared to provide an update on safeguarding across the
council and Lichfield West Midlands Trading Services
(LWMTS).  This year’s report
covers the period 1 August 2024 to 31 March 2025, following the
transition to financial year reporting.   The annual report contains an analysis of
safeguarding referrals that council representatives have made
directly to the children and adult safeguarding protection agencies
as well as outlining recent changes to how children’s
safeguarding is managed through the Staffordshire Safeguarding
Integrated Front Door (SSIFD).  In
addition, the report provides updates on progress against the
Safeguarding Action Plan and details a review of the councils
safeguarding policy and procedure, which have been simplified to be
more user-friendly, whilst retaining the core policy
content. 

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Community Engagement
noted the contents of the Safeguarding Annual Report at Appendix A
and approved the revised Safeguarding Policy and Procedures at
Appendix B and C.   Authority was
delegated to the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement in
conjunction with the Policy and Strategy Manager to make future
minor changes to the policy and procedures.