Dr Ray Jones has been appointed as the chairman of Bristol's Safeguarding Children Board.

This brings together organisations and services in the city that have a role in keeping children safe from harm, whether that is harm caused by abuse or neglect, or as a result of accidents, or issues such as bullying.

It is responsible for making sure that all services, including social services, health and the police, are working together effectively to keep children safe.

The board also commissions reports and recommends practice improvements if a child dies unexpectedly.

In the wake of the Baby P tragedy in Haringey, the Government said that boards should appoint independent chairs. Cabinet councillor for children and young people, Clare Campion-Smith said: "It is important that we have a strong independent voice in Bristol for protecting and promoting the safety of children. Ray is a nationally recognised professional and academic in this field and I welcome him to the board."

Dr Jones is a Professor of Social Work at Kingston University and St Georges, University of London. He is also a registered social worker and was director of social services at Wiltshire County Council between 1992 and 2006.

He is a regular contributor to the national press and professional magazines and was named as one of the top ten most influential social workers in the UK by the Independent on Sunday in 2002.

He has worked in Bristol in the past, helping to set up Barnardo's family centres in Hartcliffe and Knowle West and with an adolescents' project in Easton in the 1980s.

Dr Jones said: "I am delighted to have this opportunity to make a contribution to the safety and welfare of children right across all of Bristol's communities. It allows me to use and contribute over 40 years of experience of protecting children from harm and danger.

"As well as supporting and, when necessary, challenging local

services, I will also have the privilege of working alongside those who day after day work to protect and safeguard children, sometimes confronted themselves with threat and intimidation. It is hard to think of anything more important than their work and commitment."

The most recent work of the Bristol Safeguarding Children Board has included responding to Lord Laming's recommendations following the death of Baby P; reviewing and improving support to children whose parents misuse drugs and developing the work of the regional Child Dealth Overview panel.

Organisations represented on the board include Bristol City Council, Safer Bristol, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, the NHS trusts, Barnardo's, CAFCASS, Connexions, NSPCC and the Probation Service.

The board meets four times a year and its executive group meets another six times. Dr Jones takes up his post on December 1 and expects to give about three days a month to the role.