Safeguarding Boards appoint Simon Hart as joint Independent Chair

Simon Hart has today been welcomed as the Joint Independent Chair of the Children and Adults Safeguarding Boards in Essex. Simon had previously held the position of Interim Chair of the Essex Children’s Safeguarding Board. He was also Director of Social Services at Gateshead Council and Chair of the Barnsley Safeguarding Board.

Simon was one of the first independent chairs appointed to a safeguarding board in England with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. As a result of that appointment he became a member of the London Board as chair of the Serious Case Review Sub Committee.

Simon will play a key role in ensuring that the Essex Safeguarding Boards operate effectively and efficiently. Effective partnership working is something that Simon places great importance upon:

“Having worked in social care for many years I have always attached great importance to safeguarding vulnerable people and worked hard to enable strong partnership working arrangements. I have a clear belief that effective safeguarding is very dependant upon agencies working well together.

During my time as interim chair to the ESCB, I became very enthusiastic about the commitment being made by all agencies to improvement and the development of stronger safeguarding capacity .There is also a clear direction to achieve greater cohesion in arrangements to support both young people and adults .I am delighted therefore to have the opportunity to help take these aspirations forward as Independent Chair to both the Essex Safeguarding Children and Adult Boards”.

His responsibilities will include ensuring that the boards establish business plans and strategies reflecting statutory requirements and local needs for safeguarding. Simon will make decisions to convene serious case reviews, ensuring that they are conducted efficiently. He will also ensure that the Adults and Children’s Boards develop a robust performance monitoring framework including clear targets to demonstrate effective performance.

County Councillor Ray Gooding, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said:

“I am delighted that Simon Hart has accepted the position of Joint Chair of the Safeguarding Boards. Simon has a wealth of experience in Children and Adult’s safeguarding gained both here in Essex and across the country.”

Councillor John Aldridge, Cabinet Member for Adults said:

“I very much look forwarding to working with Simon. He has an excellent track record and an unrivalled understanding of safeguarding.”