One of the most important ways that agencies and services can safeguard and promote the welfare of children is by working well together in line with the Safeguarding Lewisham Children guidelines.
In addition, the Children Act 2004 gives certain agencies, including those on the Lewisham Safeguarding Board, a duty to take into account the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children as they carry out their day to day business (section 11: the 'safeguarding duty').
This duty complements agencies’ responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children under the Children Act 1989 and other legislation.
The Government has produced statutory guidance to help agencies discharge the section 11 duty. Usefully, this guidance highlights the key components of an effective safeguarding system at both a strategic and an operational level. These are:
- senior management commitment
- statements of responsibility
- clear lines of accountability
- service development
- staff training
- safe recruitment
- information sharing
The Lewisham Safeguarding Children Board has designed a toolkit, based on the key components set out in national guidance, to help local agencies to evaluate the action they are taking in response to the section 11 duty.