The Partnership, directed by Chief Officers Group (COG) has a dedicated and specific remit on protection issues and overview of all protection work; assuming responsibility for the strategic development and delivery of services to the most vulnerable people who are at risk of significant harm. The Public Protection Committee (PPC) will continue to have underpinning responsibilities and oversight on the key multi agency functions of public protection:
- Adult Support and Protection
- Child Protection
- Violence Against Women and Girls
The committee is constituted in terms of the provisions described within the following:
- Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007
- Protecting Children and Young People: Child Protection Committee and Chief Officer Responsibilities (Scottish Government, 2019)
- Equally Safe 2023 – Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating Violence Against Women and Girls (Scottish Government 2023)
Its primary aim is to shape the effective discharge and review of public protection activity through strategic oversight and performance review of the arrangements.
In line with statutory responsibilities, there is a particular focus on high-risk groups and ensuring effective arrangements are in place to manage areas of overlap between groups.
Core functions of the committee include ensuring:
- appropriate planning and management
- oversight of performance
- focus on the identification and management of risk
- operational activities are timely, proportionate, and targeted
Performance will be managed through the new Performance and Quality Assurance Framework (PQAF) 2024 to 2027.
Performance Indicators outlined in the PQAF will form the core data included in the aligned Public Protection Committee Dashboards.