Shetland Public Protection Committee (SPPC) which was formed in March 2019, incorporating both adult and child protection, presented its 2019/20 annual report to Councillors today.
(issued on behalf of the Shetland Public Protection Committee)
The report highlights how agencies in Shetland supported by the Shetland Public Protection Committee have worked together to ensure the safety of children, young people and adults in Shetland. SPPC involves a number of health, social work, police and voluntary sector staff all focused on the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults. Key achievements during the year 2019-2020 were:-
- Establishing an effective, practical constitution to provide a secure framework for the new committee
- Focussing business plans on quality assurance of both adult and child protection practice
- Looking to improve the participation of children, young people and adults in the work of the committee
- Improving joint working with the Shetland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership and the Shetland Domestic Abuse Partnership
- Continuing, through the work of active sub-committees, to work on specific projects. Digital safety remains a priority
- An update to the 2016 Shetland Interagency Adult Protection Procedures
- Availability of high quality adult and child protection training for all agencies organised and supported by Shetland Islands Council Workforce Development Team
- Organising a successful, well-attended Development Day. On 2 March 2020. This provided a welcome opportunity for members of SPPC and Chief Officers Group to come together to identify future priorities. It also provided an opportunity for children and young people to steer committee members towards thinking about mechanisms for future participation
- Sharing information about local and national practice in adult and child protection. Utilising the abilities of the independent chair in ensuring more regular and robust links with national meetings, and building on contact with colleagues in Orkney and Na Eilean Siar
- SPPC has been well supported and meetings well attended by senior staff from all agencies and the third sector.
Chair of SPPC Independent Convener, Tam Baillie, says: “The reports cover the period up to 31st March 2020 and there is much positive work in child and adult protection to report upon. Whilst there is always room for improvement, I am pleased at the progress we have made through the combined endeavours of many agencies operating in complex systems. A good measure of the strengths we have is the way in which all services have responded to the Covid-19 pandemic, adapting practices keeping a focus on the safety of Shetland’s children, young people and vulnerable adults. It is testament to the resilience within organisations and among our partnerships.”
Maggie Sandison, Chair of the Chief Officers’ Group, says: “Providing the right help at the right time, to any person who is at risk of harm, is one of our most important tasks. In the last 6 months, our experience of responding to a global pandemic really has highlighted the importance of effective partnership working in supporting the most vulnerable people in our communities. I fully support the work of the Public Protection Committee and applaud the efforts of the individual staff across all our organisations who safeguard our vulnerable people and promote their well-being.”
The report has been presented to SIC Education and Families committee today, and will also be presented to SIC Policy and Resources on the 23rd November 2020, to Voluntary Action Shetland on 2nd December, the Integration Joint Board on 10th December 2020 and the NHS Shetland Board on the 15th December 2020.
The Shetland Public Protection Committee Annual Report 19/20 can be downloaded at https://www.safershetland.com/assets/files/annual-report-2019-20-final(1).pdf