The Government of Jersey has introduced new safeguarding arrangements to better protect children and young people across the Island.
Under the Children and Young People (Jersey) Law 2022, named Ministers and Chief Officers now hold clear responsibilities for leading and improving safeguarding across health, education, social care, policing and community services.
These new measures strengthen how government and community services work together to spot risks early and respond quickly to concerns. A dedicated group of safeguarding professionals and independent experts will monitor how well the system is working and drive improvement.
Key changes include:
- Defined roles for Ministers and public service leaders to lead safeguarding
- A new Safeguarding Partners group providing strategic oversight and leadership of the system
- Better multi-agency collaboration and information sharing informed by clear published annual priorities and regular reporting to a new safeguarding practitioner network
The changes in how safeguarding arrangements are convened are consistent with new legislation adopted by the Assembly in (2022), following the Care Inquiry recommendation to update children’s legislation.
The new arrangements will replace the previous Safeguarding Partnership Board but will keep the dedicated Safeguarding Partnership Business Team which plays a vital role in making the new system work.
This team:
- Provides professional and administrative support to safeguarding partners and subgroups
- Delivers high-quality multi-agency safeguarding training
- Coordinates improvement projects and policy updates
- Ensures the arrangements functions smoothly and remains focused on delivering better outcomes for children and families
- Delivers communication, stakeholder engagement and information sharing to the wider safeguarding partnerships
Further updates, including new multi-agency safeguarding procedures and practice guidance for professionals and providers, will continue to be shared by the Safeguarding Partnership Business Team via the safeguarding practitioner network.
The official version of the Safeguarding Arrangements document can be found via the States Assembly website here: States Assembly | R.113/2025