Issue - meetings

Rachael Strutz adult safeguarding manager provided the Committee with an overview of the Safeguarding Annual Report and reflected on the work undertaken throughout the year. She explained that the Partnership had continued to make progress following its commitment to strengthening the use of Adult Social Care Advanced Practitioners, who now play a more visible role in supporting practice and improving the quality of decision?making. In addition, she noted that the Partnership’s approach to data had been strengthened, with improvements in the way information is captured, analysed and compared both regionally and nationally. This has enabled a clearer understanding of safeguarding activity and how Bury’s performance aligns with wider trends.

Rachael confirmed that the actions identified in the previous cycle had been completed, but emphasised that the key question now was how the Partnership demonstrates the difference this work is making. She explained that the focus moving forward is on showing impact, strengthening strategic priorities, and ensuring that the learning identified is influencing future practice and partnership working.

Adrian Crook echoed Rachael’s comments and welcomed the continued improvement in safeguarding arrangements. He highlighted that under the leadership of Jeanette Richards, the overall quality of reporting and analysis presented to the Partnership has significantly improved. Reports now draw out learning more clearly, provide stronger evidence, and ensure that the implications for partners are well understood.

Adrian went on to expand on the mechanisms in place to support both delivery and scrutiny. He described how the Partnership now has a specific multi?agency group responsible for establishing actions, tracking progress and monitoring whether actions are being delivered effectively across the system. This group ensures that partners are not only agreeing to actions but also demonstrating how improvements are implemented in practice.

He also explained that an additional layer of scrutiny has been developed through the Partnership’s Scrutiny Group, which provides more robust challenge. This group tests whether partner organisations can evidence the improvements they report and holds them to account for maintaining safeguarding standards. Adrian stressed that this represents a shift towards a more rigorous and transparent assurance process. He also recognised the important contribution of Jan France, noting that her leadership and attention to detail have been invaluable in strengthening scrutiny arrangements.

It Was agreed

·       The update be noted

This item was deferred to the next meeting in January 2026