Mechanisms for strategic implementation, development and monitoring of inter-agency child protection policy and practice in the UK: The role of Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) and Area Child Protection Committees (ACPCs)

This paper is part of a wider pice of research providing analysis and commentary on child protection policy across the UK: in each jurisdiction and UK-wide. The paper considers the role of Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) and (Area) Child Protection Committees ((A)CPCs) in providing the strategic implementation, development and monitoring of inter-agency child protection policy and practice across the UK. The main focus is on recent reform of these mechanisms. The paper outlines the structures which are currently in place in each part of the UK. It then discusses the functions, membership, funding and performance management arrangements of the various structures in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.