1.—(1) The Department shall establish in accordance with this section a Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (in this Act referred to as “the Safeguarding Board”).
(2) The Safeguarding Board must include—
(a)a Chair appointed by the Department;
(b)such representative or representatives of the persons or bodies specified in subsection (3) as may be prescribed; and
(c)at least 2 but not more than 4 other persons (who are not representatives of the persons or bodies specified in subsection (3) or of any other relevant persons or bodies) appointed by the Department.
(3) The persons or bodies referred to in subsection (2) are—
(a)the Regional Health and Social Care Board;
(b)the Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being;
(c)Health and Social Care trusts;
(d)the Police Service of Northern Ireland;
(e)the Probation Board for Northern Ireland;
(f)the Youth Justice Agency;
(g)education and library boards;
(h)district councils;
(i)the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children;
(j)such other relevant persons or bodies as may be prescribed.
(4) Subject to the approval of the Department, the Safeguarding Board may also include representatives of such relevant persons or bodies (other than the persons or bodies specified in subsection (3)) as the members of the Board consider should be represented on it.
(5) Regulations may make provision as to—
(a)the appointment, tenure and vacation of office of a Chair and members of the Safeguarding Board (including the circumstances in which they cease to hold office or may be removed or suspended from office);
(b)the procedure of the Safeguarding Board;
(c)the staff, premises and expenses of the Safeguarding Board (including provision as to which person or body provides the staff, premises or expenses).
(6) The Department may pay the Chair and the members of the Safeguarding Board referred to in subsection (2)(c) such remuneration and allowances as the Department may, with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel, determine.
(7) Proceedings of the Safeguarding Board are not invalidated by any vacancy in membership or by any defect in a member’s appointment or qualifications.