The new Joint Bournemouth and Poole Local Safeguarding Board came into effect on 1 April 2006, a statutory body replacing the former Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC). Its core purpose is to co-ordinate, monitor, audit and review what is done across all agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in the area and make sure it is effective. It also commissions services and shares good practice. 

Bournemouth and Poole have opted to form a joint Safeguarding Board to ensure borough boundaries do not get in the way of arrangements to protect children.  Members are drawn from very many local organisations and agencies in both boroughs.

They include Senior officers from Local Authorities and Statutory Agencies including:

• Police
• Youth Offending Team
• Probation Board
• Royal Bournemouth and Poole Hospitals Trusts
• Connexions
• Primary Care Trusts
• Strategic Health Authority
• Representatives from voluntary organisations
• Faith groups
• Language schools
• Children and Family Courts Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS)
• Local headteachers
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
• Named GP