Bristol Safeguarding Boards are changing the way that they are organised and operate, moving from four multi-agency boards to a single partnership board.

The four existing boards include Bristol Safeguarding Adults Board, Bristol Safeguarding Children Board and the Children and Families Partnership.

Following a review, the core partners which make up these boards concluded that they could work together better by merging them all into a single partnership board.

The proposed new board will have executive function. This means that the board members will be responsible for ensuring that services meet their statutory responsibilities and that services are safe and effective for the citizens of Bristol. The board will have an independent chair to co-ordinate the decision making and ensure that the partners are following due process when making decisions.

It is also proposed that the Board will task planning groups that undertake specific and focussed work and will support our neighbouring local authority areas in making improvements and sharing learning across the region.

The partners are aiming to achieve the following benefits:

• Have clearer oversight of crucial issues for the city so that crime prevention and safeguarding systems work better together for citizens
• Better at tackling issues that affect adults and children such as organised crime, violence and exploitation
• Able to implement initiatives that support people throughout their lifespan so that transitions between childhood and adult safeguarding, care and community safety services are smoother
• Make better use of public funds by using resources in a joined up way and reducing duplication

The partners are now seeking views on the changes and what the priorities should be before the 10 May.

If you are a member of the public then you can have your say here.

If you are a professional working with adults, children or families then you can give your views here.

The partnership will be holding a number of public drop-in sessions to learn about the proposed changes and to listen to people’s views.

Tuesday 30 April, 2pm–5pm @Filwood Community Centre: Barnstaple Road, BS4 1JP, in the Events Room.

Wednesday 1 May, 9am–12pm @Trinity Centre: Trinity Road, Bristol BS2 0NW, in the Graffiti Room.

Friday 3 May, 12–3pm @Bristol Community Links: North, Lanercost Road, Southmead, BS10 6HZ in the Activity Room.