Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 states that the LSPs should agree on the level of funding needed to deliver the multi-agency safeguarding arrangements. This includes consideration of business and analytical support, independent scrutiny, infrastructure, and core functions including local children safeguarding practice reviews, multi-agency training and learning events. It is the responsibility of the LSPs to ensure that adequate funding is allocated and spent in line with agreed priorities.
In Leeds funding contributions from the statutory safeguarding partners are agreed by the LSPs with the arrangements reviewed annually to ensure that they can meet the financial needs of the arrangements.
The funding partners have continued their commitment to funding the multi-agency safeguarding arrangements as set out below, and this year for the first time this includes the contribution from Leeds City Council for hosting the business unit, as overhead costs.
Contributions 2024-25
Leeds City Council - Children and Families - £159,000
Leeds City Council Overheads - £64,647
NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board - £135,000
West Yorkshire Police - £23,492
West Yorkshire Probation - £6,000
Leeds City Council - Housing - £51,645
Previous DofE funding - £9,000
Training charging - £14,150
Total £462,934
This funding provides staffing and resources that are managed by the LSCP Business Unit manager as detailed below and regular oversight reports are presented to the LSCP Executive.
The majority of the budget, as expected is allocated to the staffing of the business unit, with professional services, including the undertaking of CSPRs which require an independent commissioned author, being the next largest area of spend.
Spending 2024-25
Staffing - £354,425
Professional Services - £50,366
Running costs - £926
Meetings - £2,159
Membership - £1,284
Overhead charges for hosting the BU - £64,647
Total £473,807
Although the budget reflects a slight overspend this is due to the limited reserve being utilised to enhance safeguarding practice with the commissioning of experts, in response to learning from reviews, audits and inspections.