Decision details

The Director of Adults and Health submitted a report presenting the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) annual report for 2023/24 together with the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board’s Strategic Plan. The annual report provided an update on the work of the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board, the steps taken to implement the Board’s strategy, together with an outline of the findings of any Safeguarding Adults Reviews held during 2023/24.

In presenting the report the Executive Member advised that whilst the Independent Chair of the LSAB, Richard Jones CBE, could not be present at the meeting, it was noted that two key themes that he would have raised were the collaborative working which had taken place to embed safeguarding across partner organisations, and also the invaluable work of the city’s frontline staff in this area. 

The Executive Member provided an overview of the Board’s key ambitions, with the range of actions being taken around the citizen led approach towards safeguarding being specifically highlighted. The Independent Chair of the Board, together with all of the Board Members were thanked for their role in this important area.

The importance of the LSAB Strategic Plan (April 2023 – March 2026), which was also appended to the report, was highlighted. It was noted that the strategic plan presented all related objectives and actions that respective agencies were contributing to.

Responding to a Member’s specific request, it was undertaken that periodic meetings would be arranged between that Member and the Independent Chair.

In response to a Member’s enquiry, the Board was provided with further detail regarding the statistic that 32% of safeguarding concerns arose from care home settings, with information being provided on the sources of those concerns, together with the actions which were being taken to address such matters and to ensure that people were being cared for in the most appropriate way. It was also noted that it was common for care home settings to have a higher number of referrals. An update was also provided on the work being undertaken with the whole range of care providers in Leeds, including home care providers, in relation to the reporting of safeguarding concerns.

Also in response to a Member’s enquiry, the Board received an update on the work which continued to be undertaken to review data around referral levels of safeguarding concerns. It was identified that there were lower levels of referrals experienced in certain geographical areas with ethnically diverse communities. The range of work being undertaken as a result to increase awareness and share information across all communities was noted. 

In conclusion, the Chair extended his thanks to Richard Jones CBE, Independent Chair of the LSAB, together with the other Board Members for the role they played in this important area.

RESOLVED – That the contents and recommendations of the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2023/24, as submitted to the Board, be noted.