This developed from the Area Child Protection Panel through the Children's Act 2004.

Under this Act it specifies that all agencies now have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Children can only be safeguarded properly if key agencies work effectively together. This is also known as ‘integrated working’.

The core members like the Children's Trust include includes the Local Authority, health bodies, the police, education, probation, third sector representatives and others.

The Safeguarding Board itself has a Strategic Group and an Executive with 5 sub-groups:
 
 Policies and procedures
 Safeguarding in schools and colleges
 Training and development
 Monitoring and evaluation
 Serious case review