Policy Update: Wales updates safeguarding procedures for managing allegations against practitioners

Section 5 of the Wales Safeguarding Procedures has been updated, introducing revised guidance on how safeguarding allegations involving practitioners and other individuals in positions of trust should be managed across Wales.

The updated procedures are intended to support a consistent approach to handling allegations while ensuring that children and adults at risk are protected. They also emphasise fair treatment for individuals who are the subject of allegations and set out expectations for practice in line with relevant legislation, including the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, the Children Act 1989, the Human Rights Act 1998, the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, as well as statutory guidance issued by the Welsh Government.

Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) has confirmed it will begin reviewing how partner organisations are applying the revised procedures later this year.

The updated guidance is now available on the Wales Safeguarding Procedures website, and safeguarding professionals are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the changes. A dedicated online training module has also been made available to support practitioners in understanding and applying the revised Section 5 procedures.

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