Page 4 - TSAB Board Minutes 20 June 2019

This document was classified as: OFFICIAL

 Legal services – Provides assistance with legal matters including will writing and powers of attorney.
Used as a first point of contact to access other agencies.
 Henry Smith Foundation – Granted three years funding in Hartlepool Borough Council (HBC) to
deliver services to older people in their own homes.
 Time out Service – Volunteers work alongside carers to ensure that they are able to take some time
off.
 Welcome Home – A trial has taken place with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council (RCBC) to
assist people returning home where no support is in place after a hospital stay. A volunteer would
befriend the user and accompany them when they return home. The volunteer would remain in
contact with them for around 6 weeks to help with integration back into the community.
 Hoarding – Middlesbrough Borough Council (MBC) recognised that hoarding was common amongst
people over the age of 50. Age UK help users to identify triggers, clear properties and then provide
ongoing support to prevent hoarding from re-occurring.

Members thanked AS for the support that Age UK provide across Tees and acknowledged that this should
be recognised as a positive outcome. Alongside the benefits to the people involved there is also benefit
for the local economy. Steve Rose (SR) suggested that there is benefit in people being in a position to
make the choice on how to use personal budgets to access voluntary sector services.

AS advised that Age UK have safeguarding processes in place to protect both users and volunteers.
There is a strict induction criteria which includes reference and DBS checks and volunteers would be
accompanied by a manager for their first few visits. Age UK have adopted the TSAB Policy and adhere
to a national quality standard which focuses heavily on safeguarding. Volunteers have access to e-
learning modules and quarterly meetings take place with volunteers to ensure that training is up to date.

Members requested that a copy of the presentation and contact details for AS be included with the
minutes.
Action Points Action Owner Deadline
1. Copy of the presentation and contact details for AS to be BU 04/07/2019
circulated with the minutes

Agenda Item 4 Position of Trust / Authority Presenter: Roger Whitely
Roger Whitely (RW), Detective Inspector in the Counter Corruption Unit highlighted the work that
Cleveland Police are doing in relation to corruption within the force and stressed the importance of working
alongside partner organisations to gain intelligence. Whilst the number of incidents are low their impact
can be great. A profiling exercise in 2017 identified that offenders are typically male officers with a
disregard for authority. Initial contact with victims is made through a lawful interaction and the speed of
escalation can be as little as a few days. Typically they will pick on vulnerable groups who are less likely
to report the abuse due to their fear of the Police or because many may not recognise that they are being
abused. In these instances the abuse may only be reported once it has ended. Abuse may also take
place amongst work colleagues.

In all cases the importance of intelligence plays a vital role, RW stressed that nothing should be
considered too small to report. The Counter Corruption Unit at Cleveland Police have two direct contact
numbers and a dedicated email address that will be shared with the minutes, or in the event of urgent
risk, 101 should be used. In instances where victims do not wish to become involved Cleveland Police
are able to use investigation techniques to gather further intelligence to take a case forward. The work
covers all Cleveland Police staff members, including civilians, as they are all subject to a code of conduct.

Ann Powell (AP) advised that ReShape (re, Sexual Harm Awareness Prevention & Education), formerly
Yorkshire, Humberside and Lincolnshire Circles of Support and Accountability, are doing work to tackle
the problem at a local level. Working with building companies and the film industry regarding appropriate
behaviour and how to react in a responsible way. AP will forward contact details to RW so that they can
link in to this work.

Minutes Approved 23/09/2019 4