The SBNI has established the Interfaith Committee in May 2015 as a mechanism to engage with the faith community in Northern Ireland for the purposes of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

The Child Protection Committee was established in 2017 by SBNI following a recommendation in the Jay report.

The role of the safeguarding panels is to take forward collaborative work locally around to deliver the key strategic priorities set by the SBNI. The panels also identify new and emerging issues from the ground, thereby ensuring that the SBNI are fully informed of any concerns emerging from local communities, parents, children and other key stakeholders.

The membership of each Safeguarding Panel is reflective of SBNI. It is interagency and multi-disciplinary in nature with an Independent Chair and representatives from all organisations with statutory responsibility for, or a stake in safeguarding and child protection.