Concern over implications of ‘profound' safeguarding reforms

The government has backed recommendations from a review into local safeguarding children boards (LSCBs), published yesterday, that the current system of serious case reviews (SCRs) is scrapped and replaced with a new way of investigating child deaths.

It has also said it will introduce a new statutory framework that will effectively remove the requirement for councils to have LSCBs.

Instead, there will be a requirement on three partners – local authorities, the police and the health service – to make arrangements for working together on child protection in a local area.

David N Jones, chair of the Association of Independent Local Safeguarding Board Chairs, said it appears councils will be able to retain an LSCB if they so wish, but it will be at their discretion. He said the review represents the most fundamental change to children's services since 1970.

"These proposals will remove lead responsibility for child protection in the area from the director of children's services," he said.

"They also remove the responsibility for overseeing the LSCB and appointing an independent chair from local authority chief executives."

Jones said he has been told by some directors of children's services that they are happy with their multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.

"If there is an effective LSCB, there is no reason not to keep it," Jones said.

"It will be down to the three major partners – children's services, police, and health, to decide what structures they want."