Safeguarding Board of Northern Ireland needs to refocus its work and resources to improve protection of children

An Independent review has criticised the board which oversees safeguarding of children in Northern Ireland.

The report highlights that the Board spent too much time on the wrong issues, and failed to deliver on its main statutory responsibilities - to improve the protection of children.

Chaired by Alexis Jay, who is also the Independent Chair of CELCIS and visiting Professor at the University of Strathclyde, the report raised several major concerns. She said:

"Perhaps the most troubling concern was the lack of structured focus on the multi-agency aspects of child protection,"

The 11 recommendations made in the report include:

• review senior staff roles
• agencies must make sure that the SBNI is notified of all deaths and significant harm to looked after children and those on the child protection register
• child protection must be clearly prioritised in the work of the SBNI

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