Wales has become the first part of the UK to introduce a single set of safeguarding guidelines to help protect children and adults at risk with the launch of the new Wales Safeguarding Procedures mobile app at an event in Cardiff today.
Launched at the start of National Safeguarding Week, the Wales Safeguarding Procedures will standardise safeguarding practice across Wales and between agencies and sectors. The project team was chaired by the ADSS Cymru Safeguarding Lead, along with representation from each of the Regional Safeguarding Boards.
The procedures will set out for anyone working with children or adults what to do if they suspect an individual is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse, neglect or other kinds of harm.
Uniquely there will be no printed copies of the procedures. Instead they will be available to everyone online, either via the dedicated Wales Safeguarding Procedures website or a mobile app.
Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Julie Morgan, said: “Today marks a milestone for safeguarding partners and for those they support across Wales. The launch of these procedures is a big step forward and reaffirms our commitment to promoting the right for both children and adults at risk in Wales to be safe.
“I am pleased that Welsh Government has provided funding for the development of the procedures and also for training and learning resources to support their implementation.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all partners for their contribution to the considerable amount of work that has taken place.”
Lance Carver, ADSS Cymru Safeguarding Lead and Director of Social Services at the Vale of Glamorgan Council, who chaired the project group that produced the procedures said: “Today’s launch represents the culmination of more than a year’s work.
“The development of the procedures was a seven-stage process, with agencies and practitioners across Wales given the opportunity to be involved and share their experiences.
“Anyone can view the procedures online or download the app. This is important as it means that everybody working with adults or children, no matter what they do, will always be able to find out quickly and easily what to do if they suspect an individual is at risk.
“We believe this will have a significant impact on how and when potential incidents of harm or neglect are reported.”
To ensure that roles and responsibilities are clear ‘pointers for practice’ are featured throughout both the web and app versions of the procedures. These draw on the latest research and practice developments.
Both platforms will also feature a searchable glossary. This will make it easier for people working in different jobs and sectors to work together by ensuring that everyone is using the same terminology in the same way.
The Wales Safeguarding Procedures app are available for download now via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. They can also be viewed in English at www.safeguarding.wales and in Welsh at www.diogelu.cymru.
Click 'download' for a copy of the Wales Safeguarding Procedures FAQs.
Read the Aims & Principles of the Wales Safeguarding Procedures here.
