Welsh Government
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
A new approach to safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk in Wales
Speaking at a conference of Local Safeguarding Children Boards in Swansea, the Deputy Minister outlined her plans for a new statutory framework to protect adults at risk, which will encompass duties to investigate, cooperate and share information in protecting adults and to establish a National Independent Safeguarding Board. These arrangements will be underpinned by the establishment of statutory Adult Protection Boards, and a reduction in the number of Safeguarding Children Boards in Wales to strengthen cooperation and collaboration between relevant local agencies.
Gwenda Thomas said:
“The Programme for Government confirmed our intention to introduce a Social Services Bill next year. I remain convinced that a strong national focus is required to drive up standards and deliver consistency in safeguarding outcomes. I will be using the Bill to establish an independently-chaired National Board on a statutory footing.
“This will be a Board ‘with teeth’. One that has executive functions to commission work; which will demonstrate leadership and promote ownership; which can advise on action required to strengthen policy and practice.“
The Deputy Minister also said that she planned to make provision to require adult and children Boards to amalgamate to reflect arrangements at a national level, and to ensure that arrangements reflected the ‘people’ model of services set out in Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action.
The intention is to introduce the Social Services (Wales) Bill in October 2012 and a public consultation on the Deputy Minister’s plans will be held prior to this.
