THE Lancashire Safeguarding Children Board has appointed a new chairwoman.

Jane Booth, who brings 40 years of experience in social work to the role, has picked up the reins from Nigel Burke, who chaired the board for the past five years.

Jane also chairs Rochdale Safeguarding Children Board, where she oversaw the high-profile serious case review into the grooming and sexual exploitation of young people in the borough.

She said: “I am very pleased to be taking on the role of independent chair of the board, which has a strong track record of partnership working by committed and diligent staff.

“Partnership is vital in a county as large and varied as Lancashire, which has such diverse communities, each with its strengths and challenges, and I am looking forward to playing my part in this.”

Jane, a qualified social worker, retired from the post of deputy chief executive of Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) in 2010.

Local Safeguarding Children Boards were set up in all local authorities following the inquiry into Victoria Climbie’s death.

Each board has a team of senior people from different services in a local area, including the National Children's Bureau; the Community Service Volunteers; the Women's Resource Centre; the British Youth Council; and the Race Equality Foundation.