Social Services departments have a legal duty to protect children and young people under Section 78 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
This means we must investigate all allegations of abuse or concerns of neglect which are reported to us.
If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, or a child tells you that they are being abused, please contact 01495 762200 (or 0800 328 4432 for out of office emergencies) and tell them it is a Child Protection referral. If the child is at immediate risk of harm, telephone the police.
Abuse can take many forms:
- Neglect
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
Domestic abuse also has a detrimental effect on a child’s well-being.
If you are a child or young person who is being abused, don’t suffer in silence. Tell someone.
When a concern is raised, we will make enquiries, usually starting by visiting the child and the family. This is usually done with the police.
If there are concerns that a visit to the family home would put the child at more risk of harm, then we will first make enquiries of other professionals who might know the child and their family, e.g. the school, their health visitor or school nurse, their GP, a youth worker.
If you have any concerns about the safety of a child, please do not keep them to yourself.
The Wales Safeguarding Procedures
The Wales Safeguarding Procedures for children and adults at risk of abuse and neglect
These are the national Wales Safeguarding Procedures. They detail the essential roles and responsibilities for practitioners to ensure that they safeguard children and adults who are at risk of abuse and neglect.
Legislation and guidance
The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 came into force on 6 April 2016. The Act provides the legal framework for improving the well-being of people who need care and support. The Act is made up of 11 Parts with Part 7 relating to Safeguarding specifically. It is this legislation that provides the framework for the Wales Safeguarding Procedures.
Accompanying the Act, the Welsh Government has published statutory safeguarding guidance Working Together to Safeguard People.
The Wales Safeguarding Procedures have been designed to enable frontline practitioners and their managers apply the legislative requirements and expectations of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. The aim is to improve person-centred outcomes for adults at risk of abuse and neglect and children at risk. The procedures also recognise other relevant legislation, guidance and protocols. For example, the Domestic Abuse (Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015.
For more information visit https://safeguarding.wales (opens in new tab)
Gwent Safeguarding
Gwent Safeguarding has the lead strategic role in ensuring that children and young people in the region are protected from abuse, neglect and exploitation and live in an environment that promotes their well-being and life chances.
Gwent Safeguarding is a statutory board arising from The Children Act 2004; it replaces the South East Wales Safeguarding Children Board (SEWSC).
Gwent Safeguarding is a multi agency partnership comprising of representatives from Gwent Police, Social Services and Education Directorates from the five Local Authority areas, the Voluntary Sector, Youth Offending Services, the All Wales Probation Trust, CAFCASS Cymru, Housing, Public Health Wales and Aneurin Bevan Health Board. The purpose of this partnership working is to hold each other to account and to ensure safeguarding children remains high on the agenda across the region.
For further information visit the Gwent Safeguarding website (opens in new tab).