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.
• Create a Safeguarding and Well-being Team to visit and support schools.

 

What will happen between January 2026 and July 2026? 

Cyngor Gwynedd will:

• Ensure that the Human Resources Service has a list of Cyngor Gwynedd staff who have been subject to safeguarding concerns (through the procedure known as 'Part 5').
• Work with North Wales Police to look at ways of strengthening the collaboration.
• Recruit an additional Designated Officer for Safeguarding (or DOS) to help with the work of receiving concerns about child abuse.
• Introduce stronger collaboration arrangements between the employees in Cyngor Gwynedd's Children's Department and Education Department.

What will Cyngor Gwynedd have achieved by February 2027? 

• There will be a new procedure to check that the Children and Supporting Families Department's work is high-quality. As part of the new arrangement, the Council will be expected to review which officers attend safeguarding discussions (strategy "Part 5") and the quality of the records kept when making decisions about safeguarding.
• 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.

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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