Cyngor Gwynedd continues to strengthen safeguarding arrangements

Date: 30/01/2026

“The greatest tribute I can pay to the courage of the victims and survivors is the assurance and promise of change and action”

Cyngor Gwynedd continues to strengthen safeguarding arrangements

Cyngor Gwynedd is taking another step forward on the journey of ensuring that lessons are learned and that the Council continues to strengthen the county’s child protection arrangements.

A special meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday, 5 February where all the elected members will have the opportunity to give their feedback and comments on the Response Plan following the crimes committed by the former headteacher and paedophile Neil Foden. This meeting is in addition to three other Council committees that have already been held over recent weeks.

The original Response Plan – which was adopted by the Council’s Cabinet in January 2025 – has been a living plan that has evolved over time and has already led to changes being implemented within the county. This is thanks to the input and guidance of the Response Board, which is independently chaired by Professor Sally Holland and includes observers from several national organisations.

Throughout the Response Plan’s existence, Cyngor Gwynedd Council has maintained that it would need to be revised once the Child Practice Review report was made available. Therefore, following the publication of the ‘Our Bravery Brought Justice’ report on 4 November 2025, the plan was adapted to reflect all of the report’s findings and recommendations. This has been the most significant change to the Plan to date.

Councillor Nia Jeffreys, Leader of Cyngor Gwynedd said: “As we discuss this matter in the Council Chamber, I know the victims will be at the forefront of my mind and that of every other councillor. As Leader, I have sincerely apologised to everyone who has been affected by these horrific crimes. The children’s voices were not heard, and I want to make it clear that their experiences and their voices are important to me.

“The content of the ‘Our Bravery Brought Justice’ report is truly awful and the details of the case have shaken the people of Gwynedd and the Council.

“We are on a journey – from failure towards our ambition of being gold standard in child protection.

“It would be a hollow apology if we didn’t act and make sure that things change. The greatest tribute I can pay to the courage of the victims and survivors is to give assurances and the promise of change and action. Failures of the type highlighted in the review will not happen again.

“Safeguarding and protecting children from harm is the most important responsibility that any Council or Councillor has.

“The report and the Plan in its new form have been before several committees of the Council over the past few weeks and I am extremely grateful to the members who have contributed through their detailed scrutiny and their constructive comments. Healthy challenge is essential, especially on an issue as serious as this.

“Only by working together – with everyone pulling in the same direction – can we make real and timely progress in such a vitally important area. No department, party or individual can achieve change on their own, we have to work together across boundaries to ensure a safer future for the county's children and young people.”

The updated Response Plan will be presented to the Cabinet to consider its formal adoption on 10 March 2026.

Notes

The new Response Plan has already been discussed in the following committees and forums:

More information, including a link to the full Our Bravery Brought Justice report, is available on the Council’s website: Child Practice Review Outcome, November 2025

ENDS