BUCKINGHAMSHIRE'S previously struggling Safeguarding Children's Board have outlined the improvements they have made in their annual report.

The board told Buckinghamshire's County Council on Monday, November 14, how it has strengthened its role and improved in helping to ensure that all children in the county are protected and supported over the last two years after a negative Ofsted inspection in 2014.

Partnership working was one of the areas most in need of improvement and the board now deem that to be one of its best, with the board believing it has a strong voice to support best practice in child protection across the county.

Fran Gosling-Thomas, the Board's independent chair, presented its annual report to Cabinet, and detailed to the meeting the ways in which the effectiveness of the Board has been transformed.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted that this is such a different report from the one we presented a year ago.

"This year we can set out the significant improvements that we have made in a number of areas, including the development of solid governance and infrastructure, and a step-change in the power of the Board to influence change.

"Our partnership working has become much stronger too, allowing us to champion best practice in safeguarding with both individuals and organisations across Bucks. But we're not complacent – we need to keep improving if we're to fulfil our role to the full."

Leader of Buckinghamshire County Council Martin Tett said: "Safeguarding the children of this county is one of the top priorities we have as a cabinet - and indeed as a council - and the Safeguarding Children Board has a pivotal role in this."