About us

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children requires effective coordination in every local area. For this reason, the Children Act 2004 requires each local authority to establish a Local Safeguarding Children Board. (Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2006).

The WSCB has the overarching responsibility to meet the requirements of section 14(1) of the Children Act 2004 as follows

  • to coordinate what is done by each person or body represented on the Board for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in the area of authority
  • to ensure the effectiveness of what is done by each person or body for that purpose.

The WSCB will measure its performance against the ‘Staying Safe’ outcome. However, its work will take account of and contribute to all five Every Child Matters outcomes. The Stay Safe outcome consists of five strands.

  • Safe from maltreatment, neglect, violence and sexual exploitation
  • Safe from accidental injury and death
  • Safe from bullying and discrimination
  • Safe from crime and antisocial behaviour in and out of school
  • Have security, stability and are cared for

The WSCB objectives are about coordinating and ensuring effectiveness of what member organisations do, either individually or together, in relation to Safeguarding.

The WSCB will have three broad areas of responsibility.

  • Prevention
  • Proactive targeted work
  • Reactive work to protect children who are suffering or are at risk of suffering maltreatment

This work will be carried out by the main board, and operations group and four sub groups/committees.

This page was last updated on 27 January 2010