Theme 2: Managing Allegations and Concerns about Adults Working with Children

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)

• The referral form system was not flexible, easy to find or easy to use.
• Professionals didn’t report their concerns.
• Information wasn’t shared with professionals in the right ways, at the right time.
• Not every professional understood the field enough or understood what had to be done to respond to safeguarding concerns.
• Previous safeguarding information was not always considered when making decisions.
• Councils disagreed on what should happen when concerns about safeguarding matters arose. The right people were not present at meetings to discuss safeguarding, and decisions were not always shared. 

What has already been done to improve things?

• The sheet that is being used to record safeguarding meetings and discussions ('Strategy Part 5') has changed. By now, any previous or historical safeguarding information about the child is recorded and shared.
• The referral form for allegations of abuse is now available more prominently on the Council's website on the Child abuse webpage.
• The Council has ensured that every school in the county has received a copy of the referral form for allegations of abuse.
• The Council has adapted arrangements to ensure that responsibility for safeguarding decisions does not fall on one worker only. Every referral is read by the Referrals Team, and then a conversation is held with the Safeguarding Officers.

• A Schools Safeguarding and Well-being Team has been newly established. The Team provides information and support to the Designated Person for Safeguarding in every school in Gwynedd.  

• Since January 2025, every school in Gwynedd is visited by the Schools Safeguarding and Well-being Team once a year. The Team will look at safeguarding within the school, and ensure that posters and information are available, and that staff know how to deal with concerns. 

• The Council has appointed an additional Designated Officer for Safeguarding (or DOS) to help with the work of receiving concerns about child abuse. 

• There is stronger collaboration between the employees of the Children's Department and the employees of the Education Department of Gwynedd Council, with joint meetings being organised regularly.  

• The Children’s Department has improved the way it checks that children and families are receiving good quality support and services. (This is set out in a document called the Quality Assurance Framework.)  

• The Children's Department has purchased a system called "Beam Notes" in order to make the process of recording safeguarding meetings much easier. 

 

What will happen between January 2026 and July 2026? 

Cyngor Gwynedd will:

 

• Strengthen collaboration with the Police and relevant agencies when safeguarding matters are referred.
• Recruit a Quality Assurance Manager to ensure that the correct rules and procedures are being followed within the Children’s Department.

What will Cyngor Gwynedd have achieved by February 2027? 

• Make it easier to report a concern by creating a digital referral form through the Council's website, so that a PDF form does not have to be downloaded and sent via e-mail. A wider plan is also underway to introduce a national referral form for all Welsh councils, rather than regional forms which are currently in use. 

Measuring impact

• A regular review by the Regional Safeguarding Board of the child safeguarding referrals ("Part 5") that are being made.
• Collect, analyse and report on evidence of staff confidence relating to safeguarding decisions ("Part 5").

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