NSPCC NI welcomes establishment of Safeguarding Board

NSPCC Northern Ireland head of service, Neil Anderson – the charity’s representative on the Board - said that the new arrangements “represent a significant investment in vital structures and processes”.

“Keeping children safe necessitates a multi agency, multi faceted response and the commencement of this new legislation signifies an important step forward in the protection of children.

“We know that many families have complex needs and can be involved with a range of agencies across, for example, areas such as mental health, health and social services and the criminal justice system. It is for this very reason that the Board’s broad remit and membership is so important.

“Through partnership working the Board will be well placed to identify issues, promote learning and strive for improvement in processes and services in this context.

 “Today represents an important advance in our structures to protect children, through the strengthening of lines of accountability and performance management arrangements.

 “There is no doubt that the SBNI will face a challenging agenda, but we have a real opportunity to improve safeguarding and promote the welfare of children.”