Falkirk Child Protection Committee

Falkirk Child Protection Committee (CPC) is the local multi-agency strategic partnership responsible for the continuous improvement, coordination, and oversight of inter-agency child protection policy and practice across the Falkirk Council area.

The CPC brings together representatives from:

• Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership
• Falkirk Council
• Police Scotland
• Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA)
• Third Sector Organisations

The CPC provides leadership and direction to ensure that all child protection activity across Falkirk is effective, collaborative, and consistent with national standards and guidance. It promotes a culture of learning and improvement, ensuring that children and young people are protected from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and that their rights, voices, and wellbeing are at the centre of all work.

 

Functions of the Child Protection Committee

he role and functions of Child Protection Committees are set out in the Protecting Children and Young People: Child Protection Committee and Chief Officer Responsibilities.

Under this framework, CPCs operate on behalf of the Chief Officers Group (COG), providing assurance on the effectiveness of local child protection arrangements and driving continuous improvement.

The key functions of the CPC include:

1. Continuous Improvement

• Developing, maintaining, and reviewing inter-agency policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Leading on self-evaluation, data analysis, performance management, and quality assurance.
• Promoting a learning culture, sharing findings from reviews, audits, and national learning.
• Overseeing multi-agency learning and development to ensure a confident, competent workforce.

2. Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Providing strategic oversight of child protection within the wider public protection and children’s services planning landscape.
• Ensuring collaboration, communication, and integration across all partners.
• Establishing and maintaining effective links with related public protection structures (e.g. Adult Protection Committee, MAPPA, Alcohol and Drug Partnership, and Community Planning Partnership).
• Using evidence, performance information, and local intelligence to inform priorities and improvement activity.

3. Engagement, Communication and Public Awareness

• Promoting public understanding of child protection and the shared responsibility to keep children safe.
• Ensuring the meaningful participation of children, young people and families in shaping and evaluating child protection practice.
• Communicating openly about the role and work of the CPC and how to access help or raise concerns.

Vision

The vision of Falkirk Child Protection Committee aligns with Falkirk’s Integrated Children’s Services Plan and reflects a shared commitment to children’s rights, wellbeing, and safety:

All Falkirk children and young people are happy, healthy, and safe. They are nurtured, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential and to make positive decisions about their own lives and wellbeing.

The CPC’s specific vision is to ensure that every child in Falkirk grows up free from abuse, neglect, and harm, and that all agencies work together effectively to keep children safe, promote recovery and resilience, and support families wherever possible.