Wales Children
Legislation, Statutory Guidance, Good Practice Guidance and
Regulatory Authorities
The Welsh Government's Minister for Health and Social Services is responsible overall for safeguarding and protecting children and adults in WalesThe National Independent Safeguarding Board was set up under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. Specifically, the National Board has three primary duties. These are:
- To provide support and advice to Safeguarding Boards with a view to ensuring that they are effective
- To report on the adequacy and effectiveness of arrangements to safeguard children and adults in Wales
- To make recommendations to the Welsh Ministers as to how those arrangements could be improved (S.132 (2)).
Links to Welsh Regional Safeguarding Boards
To find your local Council Report Child Abuse to Social Care or dial 999 if an emergency
All Wales Safeguarding National Procedures app 2023
LEGISLATION
ALL and MULTI-AGENCY SECTORS
Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020 (legislation.gov.uk)
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003
Freedom of Information Act 2000
Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998
EDUCATION
The Education (Wales) Act May 2014
Section 175 Education Act 2002
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Social Services and Well-being Act 2014 (Wales)
Other
STATUTORY GUIDANCE
ALL and MULTI-AGENCY SECTORS
All Wales Safeguarding National Procedures app
Welsh Government All safeguarding children guidance
Including
- Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 Working Together to Safeguard People Volume 7 – Safeguarding Children from Child Sexual Exploitation 2021
- Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 Working Together to Safeguard People Volume 2 – Child Practice Reviews updated 2019
- Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 Working Together to Safeguard People Volume 5 – Handling Individual Cases to Protect Children at Risk updated 2019
- Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 Working Together to Safeguard People Volume I – Introduction and Overview updated 2019
Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation July 2020
Revised Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales March 2024
Mandatory Reporting of Female Genital Mutilation – procedural information 2019
EDUCATION
Welsh Government All safeguarding children guidance
Including
Keeping learners safe 2016 updated updated 2022
The role of local authorities, governing bodies and proprietors of independent schools under the Education Act 2002
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Department for Health and Social Care all Regulations and Guidance
Welsh Government All safeguarding children guidance
GOOD PRACTICE GUIDANCE AND ADVICE
ALL and MULTI-AGENCY SECTORS
National referral mechanism guidance: adult (England and Wales) updated May 2024
DBS filtering guide 28 October 2023
All Wales Safeguarding National Procedures app
Welsh Government All safeguarding children guidance
Including
Together we’ll keep children and young people safe- as we rebuild from Covid-19 July 2020
Female genital mutilation: guidance for professionals 2019
Child exploitation disruption toolkit July 2022 (England and Wales)
Criminal Exploitation of children and vulnerable adults: County Lines guidance 2023
Whistleblowing: Prescribed persons guidance 2017
Victims of modern slavery – frontline staff guidance 2024
What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused Advice for practitioners March 2015
Multi-agency practice guidelines: Handling cases of Forced Marriage 2010 updated 2023
EDUCATION
Welsh Government All safeguarding children guidance
Including
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Safeguarding Children and Young People: Roles and Competencies for Healthcare Staff 2019
Protecting children and young people: The responsibilities of all doctors 2018
CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE
Female Genital Mutilation Prosecution Guidance updated October 17th 2019
REGULATORY AUTHORITIES
For Education
Estyn, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales
Education and Inspections Act 2006
For Health and Social Care
Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016
The Private Dentistry (Wales) Regulations 2017
National Minimum Standards for Independent Health Care Services in Wales 2011
National Minimum Standards for Regulated Child Care 2012 revised 2016
Charity Commission
Charity Commission all Guidance and Regulation
including
- Report serious wrongdoing at a charity as a worker or volunteer 2019
- Safeguarding and protecting people for charities and trustees update 2022
- Safeguarding against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEAH) in the aid sector October 2019
