We want to ensure that Cyngor Gwynedd is:
- Listening to children and young people, believes them and takes them seriously.
- Doing everything possible to support victims and survivors.
- Including children and young people when making decisions.
What does the Our Bravery Brought Justice report say?
(This is the report that was published following the North Wales Safeguarding Board's investigation into the former Headteacher's crimes (See full report (opens in new tab))
- Professionals had not listened to children's concerns.
- When safeguarding concerns were raised, workers had not spoken to the child to listen to their story at all times.
- More needs to be done to support victims who have experienced trauma.
What has already been done to improve things?
- A personal apology has been offered to the girls who were abused by the former Headteacher.
- Cyngor Gwynedd is working with experts from the North Wales Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASAC) and Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) to ensure that personal support is available to those who have suffered. This includes emotional support, access to therapeutic services and practical support. Not all victims have taken up the offer, but the support will continue to be available for them whenever they require it.
- The Council has changed the arrangements when a safeguarding concern is reported about a child and a professional adult (known as 'Part 5 referrals'). Cyngor Gwynedd's Children Department now ensures that the child is given an opportunity to speak with social workers on every occasion.
- Cyngor Gwynedd is employing a worker to support the Youth Forum to ensure that young people can voice their opinion and contribute to the Council's decisions.
- The Council has reminded every School of the need to display posters with the NSPCC's contact details in prominent places in their schools to ensure that children and young people know how to get support if they need it.
- The Council has held a Children's Rights workshop for the Youth Forum, Cabinet Members and Response Plan Program Board Members.
- The Council has developed a "Voice of the Child" Strategy, which will explain how Cyngor Gwynedd listens to children and young people. The Strategy will be presented to the Cabinet in the autumn.
- Training to increase staff understanding of the impact of adverse experiences and trauma on children is being rolled out gradually across the Council. The aim is to ensure that Cyngor Gwynedd is a compassionate organisation that is sensitive to the impact of trauma.
What will Cyngor Gwynedd have achieved by February 2027?
- Recruit an additional participation worker to hear the views of a wider range of children and young people, including children in care and disabled children. Significant recruitment challenges were experienced prior to summer 2026, and the post has not yet been filled.
- Continue developing Gwynedd as a Child-Friendly County, embedding children's rights across the Council's work and ensuring that children and young people are listened to and have a meaningful influence on decisions that affect them.
Measuring impact
- Feedback from the Victims Support Group about the experience and quality of the support offered by Cyngor Gwynedd.
- Feedback from the Gwynedd Youth Forum, considering young people's confidence and experience of the safeguarding procedure in schools.
- The Child's Voice/Participation Policy are reviewed and updated regularly, with input from children and young people across Gwynedd.