The abolition of local safeguarding children boards (LSCBs) risks creating a ‘two-tier' system of child protection under which hard-earned current expertise could be lost, a leading practitioner has warned.

David Ashcroft, chair of the Association of Independent LSCB Chairs, has told The MJ that a new law risks leaving already ‘hard-pressed' public bodies – including council children services departments – without the advice and support of other key partners currently engaged in tackling issues such as child sexual exploitation.