Swindon LSCB

Core Objectives

• To co-ordinate the work of agencies to safeguard children and promote the welfare of children within Swindon
• To ensure the effectiveness of safeguarding children in Swindon

Key Objectives by Function

Policies & Procedures Function

To develop and agree local multi-agency policies and procedures for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in Swindon, including policies and procedures in relation to:

• the action to be taken where there are concerns about a child's safety or welfare, including thresholds for intervention;
• training of persons who work with children or in services affecting the safety and welfare of children;
• recruitment and supervision of persons who work with children;
• investigation of allegations concerning persons who work with children;
• safety and welfare of children who are privately fostered;
• co-operation with neighbouring children's services authorities and their Board partners.

To ensure that both single and multi-agency training on safeguarding and promoting welfare is available as needed throughout Swindon and is reaching the relevant staff.

Communication & Awareness Raising Function

To raise awareness within Swindon of the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, encouraging involvement at all levels within the community.

To ensure that agencies share a common understanding of how and when action should be taken to protect a child.

To ensure that any lessons learned, either locally or nationally, are shared, understood and acted upon.

To help develop good working relationships between different professional groups based on trust and mutual understanding.

Monitoring & Evaluation Function

To oversee how well local services work together to protect children.

To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of both collective and individual agency arrangements for safeguarding children and promoting their welfare.

Function of Participating in Planning & Commissioning

To participate in the planning of children’s services in Swindon.

To agree what is to be done to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and how this will be measured, within the framework set out in the Children’s Services Plan.

Functions Relating to Child Deaths

To collect and analyse information about all child deaths within Swindon (this will be required from 1 April 2008).

Serious Case Review Function

To carry out serious case reviews where a child has died and abuse or neglect has been confirmed or is suspected.  In certain circumstances, a serious case review may also take place where a child has been very seriously harmed.

Working Together 2006 also states that:

“An LSCB may also engage in any other activity that facilitates, or is conducive to, the achievement of its objectives.”