Theme 3: Training and Policies

 

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 Designated Person for Safeguarding in the school where the former Headteacher offended had not received suitable safeguarding training.  (The Designated Person for Safeguarding is the person that has been appointed to be responsible for safeguarding matters in a school).
• The school's staff and Governors had not received suitable safeguarding training.
• The School staff or Cyngor Gwynedd staff did not know when and how to raise a concern (a procedure known as "Whisteblowing").

 

What has already been done to improve things? 

• Cyngor Gwynedd has included information about grooming in the training pack for every school at the start of the school year (September 2025).
• A worker has been appointed to raise awareness of the safeguarding field across the Council and inform staff of the safeguarding training available.

• Every department within Cyngor Gwynedd checks how many staff have attended Safeguarding training, and training on Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (called VAWDASV). This is now monitored during regular performance meetings. 
• The Council has created a video to introduce safeguarding training to staff who work out in frontline roles, for example bin workers, cleaners and others. 
• The Council has purchased specialist training from the NSPCC to help staff who work with children recognise changes in a child’s behaviour that could be signs of grooming or abuse.
• The NSPCC will also provide general online training for all staff members on recognising signs of abuse and grooming. 
• The Council has adopted a whistleblowing policy and carried out more work to raise awareness among staff across the Council. 

What will happen between January 2026 and July 2026?

Cyngor Gwynedd will:

• Introduce a Whistleblowing Policy and Guidance for Gwynedd Councillors. 
• Introduce training on the Whistleblowing Policy and Guidance for all Gwynedd Council staff and Councillors.
• Introduce training on keeping safeguarding records.
• Members of the Council's Scrutiny Committees (a group of councillors who check that the Council is doing things right) will finish looking into safeguarding arrangements in schools.

What will Cyngor Gwynedd have achieved by February 2027?

Cyngor Gwynedd will:

• Map out the appropriate level of safeguarding training to each job so that those who need it receive advanced training. 
• Ensure that every new member of staff receives safeguarding training timely at the start of their post.
• Receive the outcome of the investigation by members of the Scrutiny Committees and draw a plan to implement any recommendations.
• Review and introduce a new Corporate Safeguarding Policy for the Council. 

Measuring impact

• That every staff member who requires a DBS Certificate for their post has a current DBS Certificate. (A DBS Certificate is the inspection to check whether a person is safe to work with children or vulnerable people).
• Report on the number of staff who have completed the Safeguarding training and the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence training.
• That every school receives a visit from the Schools Safeguarding and Well-being Team, and the number of schools following the Council's safeguarding policies.

Back to the Response Plan Programme Board homepage