As set out in Working Together (2023), the Lead Safeguarding Partners (LSPs) hold overall accountability for the multi-agency child safeguarding arrangements in their local area. The Lead Safeguarding Partners are the Chief Executives of Local Authorities, Chief Executives of the ICBs and Chief Officers of police forces. The LSPs for the Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership will meet three times a year to deliver their joint functions as set out in Working Together (2023).
For the Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership, the LSPs are:
- Catherine Howe, Chief Executive Officer, Dorset Council
- Patricia Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Dorset Integrated Care Board (ICB)
- Amanda Pearson, Chief Constable, Dorset Police
The delivery of multi-agency safeguarding functions and processes should be delegated to the Delegated Safeguarding Partner (DSP). Working Together (2023) sets out that the DSP should be sufficiently senior to be able to speak with authority, take decisions on behalf of the LSP and hold their sectors to account.
For the Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership, the Delegated Safeguarding Partners are:
- Paul Dempsey, Executive Director – People, Children, Dorset Council
- Pam O’Shea, Interim Chief Nursing Officer, NHS Dorset
- Mark Callaghan, Assistant Chief Constable, Dorset Police
The delegated responsibilities of the LSP’s will be delivered by the DSPs through the Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership Board (previously Strengthening Services Board prior to 1 April 2025) for the Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership, which the DSPs attend. These meetings take place 6 weekly and are chaired by the LSP for the Local Authority.
Please find below the latest available summary minutes from these meetings:
