The Welsh Government has announced a new national safeguarding programme for Wales, according to the BBC. The programme, called Stronger Safeguarding for a Safer Wales, is intended to improve how organisations work together to protect children and adults at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Key points
- Ministerial oversight — a Ministerial Safeguarding Oversight Board will lead national accountability.
- Intelligence hub — a safeguarding function inside the National Social Care Intelligence Hub will identify emerging risks.
- National plan — a National Safeguarding Plan and National Risk Register will set priorities and a consistent approach across Wales.
- Future laws — the programme will prepare the ground for consultation on an Adult and Child Protection Authority for Wales and mandatory reporting of abuse.
The programme follows the Strengthening Safeguarding Governance Review led by Jan Pickles OBE. It is also intended to deliver Welsh Government commitments on safeguarding and to make sure that children, young people, adults at risk, victims and survivors have a say in the services designed to protect them. The Welsh Government says the programme will improve learning from reviews, inspections, data and practice so that organisations can spot risks sooner and respond better when concerns are raised.
Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women's Health Delyth Jewell said the programme was about building a stronger system for Wales.
"This programme is about building a stronger safeguarding system for Wales, one that identifies risks earlier, learns from past failings and ensures organisations work together to protect people from harm."
She added that the views and experiences of children, young people, adults at risk, victims and survivors would help shape protective services.
What it means in practice
For most people in Wales, the change is not immediate: the programme sets up national structures and prepares for possible new laws. But if you or someone you know is dealing with safeguarding concerns, the new intelligence hub and national risk register could mean earlier action by councils, health boards and other organisations.
- Reporting concerns — mandatory reporting is not yet law in Wales. If you are worried about a child or adult at risk, continue to contact your local authority or the police as usual.
- Future consultation — proposals for an Adult and Child Protection Authority and mandatory reporting will be consulted on later. Watch for the Welsh Government consultation if you want to have your say.
- Local services — the programme aims to make safeguarding more consistent across Wales. If your case is already with a council or health board, ask them how the national plan affects your situation.
