A research team from Coram and DMSS was commissioned in November 2008 to undertake a study to explore possible under and over-representation of some ethic groups in social care, review the approaches taken in meeting the safeguarding needs of BME children and young people and identify possible developments for the future.

Hidden Harm refers to children and young people whose particular needs are often overlooked; their parental substance misuse has serious negative effects and is associated with poor outcomes. These children and young people are often in need of protection. Our aim is to promote cooperation between relevant partners, to improve the well being of children in the area, to ensure they are protected from harm.

Since 2006, LSCB has received a 2-monthly monitoring report covering a range of statistical information and commentary. The Board has agreed that the report should be reviewed so that it can become a more effective instrument to facilitate scrutiny of the range of safeguarding functions that LSCB partners are responsible for.

The Child Death Overview Panels (CDOP) is a sub-committee of the London Safeguarding Children Board which became mandatory on 1st April 2008. The Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006: chapters 3, 4, 7 and 8 sets out the minimum standard of the CDOP.

At the March LSCB Tower Hamlets PCT tabled its Healthcare Commission (HCC) self declaration for standard C2 of the Annual Health Check. The PCT sought comments by LSCB on its evidence. Since this report the LSCB has ask the PCT to present its safeguarding priorities that emerge from this submission.

This paper follows a previous report from BLT to the LSCB regarding its Annual Health Check self-declaration with particular regard to evidence submitted regarding its Safeguarding Children arrangements (core standard C2).

In March 2009, the Executive Board recommended a review of the current subgroup structure as part of the on-going task to improve the effectiveness and accountability of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

This paper provides background information on how Tower Hamlets Local Safeguarding Children Board can comment on the self-declaration of the East London NHS Foundation Trust Annual Health Check with particular regard to evidence submitted regarding its Safeguarding Children arrangements. The Annual Health Check is carried out by the Healthcare Commission and will cover the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009.

Tower Hamlets published the first Children and Young People?s Plan (CYPP) in 2006 for the period covering the last three years. The next three year plan is in the process of being formed. The CYPP planning uses the Every Child Matters (ECM) themes, of which Staying Safe is one. The planning process has been overseen by the Stay Safe ECM group, chaired by Kamini Rambellas, and has a wide membership drawn from the local authority, partner agencies and the third sector. As part of the review, the Staying Safe theme has undergone a process of consideration and consultation. The attached document outlines the proposed priorities and the activities for the 2009 ? 2012 plan.

NHS Tower Hamlets commissioned ISOS Partnership to undertake a review of the safeguarding children arrangements within the PCT, particularly in light of the increased separation of commissioner and provider functions. The report concluded that overall the PCT has good systems in place for safeguarding children within its own organisation in relation to strategic direction, governance, provision of support and advice and high quality practice (see page 4 for summary), but that there are areas of safeguarding practice within the PCT that need to be strengthened.

This paper presented the Tower Hamlets Local Safeguarding Children Board the East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) Safeguarding Children Annual Report 2008-09 and Work Plan 2009-10. This follows a previous report from ELFT to the LSCB regarding its Annual Health Check self-declaration with particular regard to evidence submitted regarding its Safeguarding Children arrangements (core standard C2). The Annual Health Check is carried out by the Care Quality Commission (formerly Healthcare Commission).

This report updates the LSCB of developments in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements since July 2008.