Welcome from the Independent Chair of the Plymouth Safeguarding Children Board

"Hello and welcome to the Plymouth Safeguarding Children Board's web pages. My name is Jim Gould and I am the Independent Chair of the Board. I have held this position since May 2009, having been appointed by Board Members and a panel of Young People made up of Plymouth school children.

It is only right that an important and vital issue such as 'safeguarding' receives the highest level of scrutiny, ownership and accountability as it affects the lives of all children and young people. The role of the Plymouth Safeguarding Children Board is an essential element in this process with the Board being charged to seek assurances from all agencies that they are working together to keep children and young people safe across the city and to provide challenge when necessary and to raise awareness of safeguarding issues.

Safeguarding is everyone's business across agencies and communities. Working together is fundamental to the protection of children and young people to keep them safe from harm. The role of the Board in promoting, monitoring, challenging and ensuring that this is a reality continues to be paramount.

I do hope you find the pages a useful resource in helping us all to safeguard our children and young people."

Updated 20 May 2012