An investigation report into safeguarding matters in Gwynedd schools will be submitted to the authority's Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee on 14 July 2026.
The investigation was carried out over a period of a year by a group of Committee members, in order to gain a better understanding of how current safeguarding arrangements work in practice in Gwynedd and to identify opportunities to strengthen them.
A key part of the investigation was an independent appraisal to hear pupils' voices.
The main findings from talking to children and young people were that:
- Pupils appreciate staff who are approachable and who respond to emotions
- A strong link between well-being, fairness and belonging and feeling safe
- Experience of safeguarding through school relationships and culture
- Trustworthy adults and emotional safety are central themes.
In addition, a series of focus group meetings were held and visits to 11 schools which provided an opportunity for staff and school governors and experts in the field to share their experiences and views.
Councillor Cai Larsen, chair of the investigation, said:
Much of what we saw was encouraging. We saw schools where pupils' well-being and safety are at the heart of day-to-day work, with dedicated staff and conscientious governors working tirelessly to create safe and supportive environments. That deserves to be recognised and praised.
At the same time, the investigation showed that there were opportunities to further strengthen arrangements.
The recommendations in the report focus on areas such as training, information sharing, supporting governors, listening to pupils' voice and ensuring that concerns are recorded and considered in a way that can allow risk patterns to be identified before harm occurs.
We hope that the recommendations will contribute to building on the culture seen in the schools where all concerns are taken seriously, continually learning and that all children know where to turn for help in order to ensure the highest possible standards of safeguarding.”
Councillor Dewi Jones, Cyngor Gwynedd's Cabinet Member for Education, added:
A lot of work has been done by Cyngor Gwynedd to strengthen and tighten safeguarding arrangements in the county's schools, since the publication of the Our Bravery Brought Justice report in 2024.
I was pleased to learn that the investigation concluded that there is already a lot of good practice in Gwynedd schools, with staff and governors showing a strong commitment to children's safety and well-being.
I'm also grateful for the recommendations. In implementing them, there will be opportunities to further strengthen arrangements by improving consistency, sharing information, developing training, supporting governors and allow risk patterns to be identified early on.
I'm extremely grateful to everyone who contributed to this work and look forward to the discussion at the Committee.”
Councillor Nia Jeffreys, Cyngor Gwynedd Leader, added:
I welcome this report and am grateful to my fellow councillors for their detailed work. I am confident that acting on the report’s recommendation will yet again help us on our journey towards strengthening safeguarding arrangements in our schools. This can only be achieved by everyone working together.
The voices of children and young people are so important as we discuss these matters and so I thank the school pupils who took part in these sessions.”
At its meeting on 14 July, members of the Scrutiny Committee will consider whether they accept the investigation's report. If the report is accepted, the relevant Council departments and services will act on the recommendations.
The full report can be found here: Agenda for Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 14th July, 2026, 10.30 am (item 5)