The core objective of the LSCB is to coordinate the actions of all agencies represented on the board, for the purposes of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in the area. It is also the boards' duty to ensure the effectiveness of these actions.
- The LSCB will ensure that the duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children is carried out in such a way as to improve all five outcomes which are of importance to children.
- The LSCB will continue to have child protection as its core business. Only when this business is secure will it widen its remit to include preventative work to avoid harm being suffered in the first place.
- The LSCB will provide impetus and strategic leadership to the activities of member agencies in relation to child protection. The LSCB will provide an annual work plan covering the following areas.
Policies and Procedures Function
The LSCB will:
- Inform and influence the development of all policies and procedures relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
- Ensure there is clarity about thresholds for intervention where there are concerns about a child's safety. This includes concerns under both S17 and S47 of the Children Act 1989 i.e. both regarding children in need and regarding children in need of protection.
- Lead the development of protocols for the sharing of information.
- Ensure clear procedures to ensure the safety of children who move between Local Authority areas.
Communicating and Raising Awareness
The LSCB will:
- Ensure that the LSCB publicises its work in the local area. This may include websites, leaflets or events.
- Use every opportunity to raise public awareness about the need for every citizen to have responsibility for the safety and welfare of children in their area.
Monitoring and Evaluation Function
The LSCB :
- Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of multi-agency safeguarding work.
- Collects relevant statistics to enable monitoring of effectiveness of interventions and to identify emerging trends.
- Advises the Local Authority and the Trust Board on ways to improve where appropriate.
Planning and Commissioning
The LSCB :
- Participates in the local planning and commissioning of children’s services to ensure that they give priority to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.
- Contributes to the Children and Young People's Plan.
- Receives notification of all new licence applications and variations under the Licensing Act 2003.
Child Death
The LSCB :
- Collects and analyses information about deaths of all children in their area.
- Identifies any case requiring a Serious Case Review.
- Identifies any general public health or safety concerns.
- Ensures procedures are in place for a coordinated response to the unexpected death of a child.
Serious Case Review
The LSCB :
- Undertakes reviews of cases where a child has died or has been seriously harmed where abuse or neglect is known or suspected.
The LSCB may engage in any other activity that is conducive to the achievement of its objective.
