What is the GSCB?

Every child and young person should be able to grow up free from the fear of abuse or neglect. As far as it is within our powers and resources, we will try to ensure that every child is safe, well cared for, and able to fulfil their potential.  Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children requires effective co-ordination in every local area.  For this reason, the Children Act 2004 requires each Local Authority to establish a Local Safeguarding Children Board.  The Working Together to Safeguard Children document details a framework on the roles and functions of the LSCB.

What is the GSCB?                                                                        This stands for Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board.   On 1^st April 2006 the new Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board (GSCB) came into existence to replace the Gloucestershire Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC).  It is a key statutory mechanism for agreeing how the partner agencies co-operate to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in Gloucestershire, and for ensuring the effectiveness of what they do. 

What is the relationship of the GSCB with the Change for Children Programme?

The Change for Children programme is being implemented through a number of projects, Safeguarding Children through the GSCB is one of them. The GSCB is the latest step in the implementation of the Government�s Every Child Matters: Change for Children initiative, to help ensure that all agencies are putting children and young people at the heart of the planning and delivery of services.  The GSCB through it's Business Plan will contribute to improving the five outcomes to ensure the well-being of every child in Gloucestershire, in particular "staying safe".  

For detailed information please click the Change for Children logo below:

Gloucestershire County Council's Children and Young People's Directorate is responsible for leading the Change for Children programme locally and bringing together key organisations and partners involved in providing services for children. It is making this happen through the Children and Young People�s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP), a multi-agency partnership of key local organisations that provide services for children.

How will the GSCB differ from the ACPC?  

For the first time the GSCB will be in a position to hold agencies to account to ensure they are fully meeting their statutory obligations effectively, therefore significantly improving services to children and young people of Gloucestershire.

What areas does the GSCB cover? 

The GSCB aims to safeguard children and young people in the whole of Gloucestershire.

How will the GSCB be funded?   

The GSCB will be funded and resourced through partner agencies as agreed, to ensure it functions effectively.  The pooled budget is formally managed by the Safeguarding Children Manager.    The Gloucestershire County Council's Children and Young People's Directorate, Gloucestershire Constabulary and Gloucestershire Health Service provide the core contributions.  Probation and CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service) also contribute.  The Resources Task Group met on 31st March 2006, to consider future funding of the GSCB.  

What is Safeguarding Children and Young People all about?

The UN Convention states that Children and Young People have rights, such as

• The right to life

• The right to be treated as equal citizens

• The right to live in a safe environment

• The right to be educated without fear

• The right to be protected from abuse and neglect

Extracts of this page have been take from Chapter 3 of the 

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2005 document - Draft for public consultation.