Safeguarding in Wales

The Walsingham Support Group operates a policy of zero tolerance of abuse and neglect, as an organisation we believe that the people we support have the right to not only be treated in a way that respects their rights, independence, choice and dignity but that their individualism, ability and diversity should also be promoted and celebrated, and in doing so we must safeguard all of the people that we support from all forms of abuse and harm.

The Walsingham Support Group fully recognises that safeguarding is not a stand-alone organisational responsibility and working with all relevant partner Agencies seeks to comply with all relevant legislation, Policies, procedures and guidance.

Wales has its own Safeguarding Procedures which were published in November 2019 The Wales Safeguarding Procedures for children and adults at risk of abuse and neglect which provides the guidance to support organisations to meet the requirements of the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014and the Welsh Government statutory safeguarding guidance Working Together to Safeguard People. The procedures replace the All Wales Child Protection Procedures and Wales Interim Policy and Procedures for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults from Abuse and Neglect.

What they are for:

The aim of the procedures is to ensure an improvement in the person-centred outcomes for adults and children at risk of abuse and neglect. The procedures help practitioners to fully understand their roles and responsibilities when applying the legislation and expectations as set out in the Social Services and Well Being (Wales) Act 2014 and the Statutory Safeguarding Guidance.

Who they are for:

These procedures are intended to guide safeguarding practice for all those employed in the statutory, third (voluntary) and private sector in health, social care, education, police, justice and other services.

Why we need them:

The procedures have been designed to enable frontline practitioners and their managers to implement the legislative requirements and statuary guidance to ensure standardised practice across all of Wales and between all partner agencies to ensure that all agencies work together effectively to safeguard children and adults in Wales who are at risk of abuse, neglect and harm. The Wales Safeguarding Procedures also recognise other relevant legislation and guidance, for example; the Domestic Abuse (Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015.

Safeguarding Newsletters

Know the Signs

An important aspect of safeguarding is knowing the signs of abuse and neglect.

Protecting Children

Safeguarding is a set of guidelines and actions that helps to keep children safe from abuse, neglect and exploitation. If you’re worried about the wellbeing or safety of a child, there are several steps you can take.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is what we do to keep people safe from abuse, neglect or exploitation. Most of the time when people talk about safeguarding, they are talking about protecting children or vulnerable adults.