14 May 2025

National Independent Safeguarding Board Meeting

Meeting Minutes

Date: 14^th May  2025 Time: 09.30am Teams meeting

Attendees:

• Tony Young (NISB Chair)
• Lin Slater (NISB Vice Chair)
• Desmond Mannion (Board Member)
• Artie Meakin (Board Member) 
• Emma Logan (NISB Secretariat)

Apologies:

• Carys James (Board Member)

Agenda Items and Detailed Summary:

1. Welcome and Apologies:

TY welcomed attendees and noted apologies.

• Conflicts of Interest:

The chair asked members to declare conflicts of interest, none were declared. 

• Minutes of the Previous Meeting held date

The minutes were agreed as a correct recording. It was agreed that going forward, minutes would be made available on the NISB website.

Matters arising:

 A NISB development session was confirmed for Thursday, 3rd July at the Welsh Government buildings in Cardiff, it was agreed that Welsh Government (TS) is invited to provide an update on progress on the recommendations made to Ministers in the NISB annual report. Other items for the session include consideration for the ‘next steps’ for adult safeguarding work. An annual cycle framework also to be produced. 

• NISB Website    

 It was noted that the NISB website has been simplified and streamlined, ensuring all necessary information remains accessible. The contact email address requires clarification to improve accessibility to NISB. 

It was agreed that a quarterly update, signed off by the Board Chair would support in keeping the website content current.

Further suggestions concerned rotating responsibility for maintaining an editorial function. Creating a resource section for practice tools, produced by regional boards was also suggested. This was agreed and actions noted including a quarterly meeting with the web designer to make editorial decisions and ensure the website remains current.

• Allison Parkinson was unable to attend the meeting 

Plan to invite her to subsequent NISB meeting.

• Jodi Evans – Ann Craft Trust – Postponed to June Board Meeting 
•  Chris Frey-davies – to be invited to June Board Meeting
• Adult Practice Thematic Report

The APR thematic report has been disseminated, and a round table event, held on April 28^th to discuss APR findings and to consider next steps was well attended by Boards and other stakeholders. Regional Boards have begun to draw up plans to consider the recommendation.  Business managers will be asked to share these with NISB by the end of June. The report findings were well received and have been welcomed by the Older Persons Commissioner for Wales. Further discussion with the OPC and Man Met to progress this agenda are planned. 

•  NISB work programme review and progress 

This included the following points of discussion:

Partnership and Duties: The work programme should include a detailed explanation of the partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and its role in facilitating progress on identified priorities. 

Five Key Questions: These questions, central to the board’s approach to considering ‘effectiveness’ should be prominently included in the workplan. The team discussed the importance of referencing these questions in the strategic duties section. 

Specific Actions for Inclusion: An evaluation the progress of the findings of the report Risk, Response, Review CPR thematic report, published in August 2023; dissemination of findings of the APR Thematic Review published Feb 2025, and providing feedback on the Ministerial action plan for preventing abuse of older people. 

Positions of Trust: Request data available on Section 5 of the procedures concerning individuals in positions of trust. 

Engagement with Expert Groups: Regular engagement with expert reference groups, practitioners, and individuals. 

Communication Strategy: Reviewing the National Board’s communication strategy, focusing on updating the website and improving overall communication. 

 Safeguarding Review: to be commissioned by Welsh Government, and the board’s commitment to contributing to this process to be referenced. In the work programme.

1. NISB Recruitment Update

The Chair provided an update on the recruitment process for new board members. Interviews are scheduled for June. 

1. Thematic Child Practice Review  

The Chair emphasised the importance of ensuring that the procurement process is thorough and transparent in commissioning the review for 2025 The discussion included the following key points:

The procurement process should be designed to ensure that the review is conducted by a qualified and experienced team. 

The review should focus on identifying areas for improvement in safeguarding practices and policies.

Areas of particular interest include the lived experience of children and service users and transitional safeguarding. 

It was agreed to progress the procurement process as soon as is possible to enable learning to be shared in November during Safeguarding week.

1. Regional Board Updates & Stakeholder Updates – EWS, CIW, HIW, WVCS, Estyn, WAO, CCfW, OPC, PVP, Anti-Slavery, 4 Nations Planning Group.

It was noted that the Chairs/WG and NISB meeting received a presentation from the Welsh Central Authority regarding cross-border/international safeguarding cases. The presentation covered the role of the Welsh Central Authority in facilitating information sharing and cooperation under The Hague 1996 Convention. 

Board members shared insights from the Five Nations session and Boards that had been attended.

A meeting with CIW and discussion on JICPA was shared with the Board. There was NISB attendance at the newly established NHS safeguarding Delivery Group chaired by the Deputy Chief Nurse.

1. AOB – None 

Next Meeting:

• The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 11th June.