Welsh Resources & Template Policy

New national approach to improve safeguarding in Wales

Wales was the first country in the UK to introduce a single set of safeguarding guidelines for children and adults at risk when the new Wales Safeguarding Procedures launched in 2019. The Wales Safeguarding Procedures standardise practice across Wales and between agencies and sectors.

Legislation

In Wales, the Children Act 1989 outlines when to initiate care proceedings and the duty of local authorities to safeguard and promote children’s welfare.

Much of the Act applies to both England and Wales. As of April 2016, Part 3 of the Act (which refers to support for children and families provided by local authorities) has been replaced by Part 6 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.

The Children Act 2004 strengthens this by encouraging partnerships between agencies and creating more accountability. A number of sections have been amended, repealed or replaced by the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 contents, including the requirements for the establishment of local safeguarding children boards in Wales.

The 2014 Act provides Wales with its own framework for social services by:

giving individuals a stronger voice and more control over the care and support they receive
encouraging a renewed focus on prevention and early intervention.

Guidance

There is a plethora of guidance for the protection of children & adults here. If you click on the top of the page you can access each page in the native welsh language. Updated July 2024

The NSPCC for Wales has helpful information on their website.

DBS Checks

We can also process your DBS’s electronically. See our DBS page for information.

Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that affect children while growing up, such as suffering child maltreatment or living in a household affected by domestic violence, substance misuse or mental illness.

Short video on the impact of ACE’s here