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As changes around the Children’s Hearings System are put in place, the role of Safeguarders must be actively managed. 

Governance processes must allow for highly skilled and qualified Safeguarders. They should continue to enable excellent oversight, so that Safeguarders match the ethos of the redesigned system in:

  • their conduct, and
  • the way in which they contribute.

When Safeguarders are instructed, at every point, it must be clear:

  • what is being asked of them,
  • what the focus of their enquiry is, and
  • what the contents of their report should be.

Children and their families should be clear what the role of Safeguarders is. They should know how this role aligns with those of other people who contribute to the discussions about their lives.

There must be an understanding that Safeguarders appointed at the stage where grounds are established may not need to be involved with the stage of the Hearing itself— but that their continued involvement may:

  • add value, and
  • be in the best interests of the child.

There should be more thought about the legal provisions around appointment of Safeguarders as proceedings move from Court to the Children’s Hearing.