Child Protection Committees are the key local bodies to jointly identify and manage risk to children and young people, monitor and improve performance and promote the ethos ’it’s everyone’s job to make sure I’m alright’
The Forth Valley region, encompassing Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, and Stirling, operates Child Protection Committees (CPCs) dedicated to safeguarding children and young people from harm and abuse. These CPCs are collaborative, multi-agency partnerships that include representatives from local councils, health services, police, and third-sector organisations. Their primary aim is to ensure the safety and well-being of children within the community.
Core Functions of the Forth Valley Child Protection Committees are set out in Protecting Children and Young People Child Protection Committee and Chief Officer Responsibilities (2019) Protecting Children and Young People: Child Protection Committee and Chief Officer Responsibilities
Continuous Improvement:
• Policies, Procedures, and Protocols: Developing and maintaining clear guidelines to standardise child protection practices across agencies.
• Self-Evaluation and Quality Assurance: Regularly assessing and enhancing the effectiveness of child protection measures through performance management and quality assurance processes.
• Promoting Good Practice: Learning from local and national case reviews to identify and disseminate effective strategies in child protection.
• Training and Staff Development: Ensuring that all practitioners receive appropriate training to stay informed about current best practices in child protection.
Strategic Planning:
• Collaboration and Cooperation: Facilitating effective communication and joint efforts among various agencies and stakeholders involved in child protection.
• Linking with Other Planning Fora: Establishing and maintaining connections with other planning groups to ensure a cohesive approach to child welfare.
• Sharing Resources and Best Practices: Engaging with relevant partners across Scotland to benchmark and share resources and successful practices.
Public Information and Communication:
• Raising Public Awareness: Educating the community about child protection issues to foster a vigilant and informed public.
• Participation of Children, Young People, and Families: Involving those directly affected in the development and evaluation of child protection services, aligning with the principles of “The Promise,” Scotland’s commitment to children and young people.
Forth Valley CPC’s offer clear leadership to ensure accountability and effectiveness in child protection efforts. They are responsible for monitoring emerging Issues. Staying informed about current and anticipated challenges in child protection to adapt strategies accordingly.
CPCs will produce and publish an annual report, endorsed by the Chief Officers, which sets out the work undertaken by the Committee, delivery against key performance measures in that year as well as identified priorities for the year ahead.
By fulfilling these functions, the Forth Valley Child Protection Committees each strive to create a safe environment where all children and young people can thrive, free from harm and neglect
Falkirk Child Protection Committee Annual Report 2023-24
