Concerned families involved in safeguarding reforms

Tuesday 30 May 2023

A task force implementing improvements to the protection of vulnerable children and their families in the healthcare system is making progress, but the independent report detailing issues and recommendations is unlikely to be published.

An independent review into local safeguarding practices were in 2021 following multiple complaints from four families. The full report and a list of recommendations were presented to HSC in November 2021.

Deputy Gavin St Pier, who has repeatedly called for the report to be published since May 2022, asked in the States last week for an update on the implementation of the report’s recommendations. 

Deputy Al Brouard, President of Health & Social Care, said the task force comprises “healthcare professionals as well as representatives of the four families” involved. 

“The views of the families contribute to the shaping and discussion of actions which in turn influence service delivery and service design.”

In his reply, Deputy Brouard added that over 1,500 health staff participated in safeguarding training with the dedicated board last year.

“Safeguarding leads are in place across Health & Social Care, including the MSG, and this includesdesignated safeguarding doctor and designated safeguarding nurse roles,” he said.

“These roles have a lead to play in relation to complex safeguarding. A complex case supervision group forum, which acts as a multi-agency supervision, is in place and meets monthly. 

Deputy Brouard said this represents “a lot of work by a lot of people” to rectify the concerns identified, and later raised by Deputy St Pier.

But HSC is continuing to decline to disclose the report despite its author and the families concerned reportedly having no objection to publication. The Committee maintains that not all stakeholders mentioned in the report have provided permissions for a full publication. 

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