Council and democracy

Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (HSCB)

The Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (HSCB) was launched in April 2006 to replace the Area Child Protection Committee. It has a statutory role, with more influence, authority and powers, along with a much wider remit to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children.

A key objective for the HSCB is to support parents and carers to provide a safe and stable family life for children and young people. It also supports organisations that provide services to reduce the likelihood of children and young people suffering accidental injury and death, bullying and discrimination, crime and anti-social behaviour.

John Harris, director of children’s services and chair of the Children’s Trust Executive Group, said: “The HSCB has the responsibility, under the Children Act 2004, to co-ordinate and to ensure the effectiveness of the work of member agencies to safeguard children, ensuring that they are safe from maltreatment, neglect, violence and sexual exploitation. Our intention in establishing it is to draw on a wider group of staff and managers in member agencies in order to ensure that safeguarding work is a core responsibility of all staff.”