Care Inspectorate Wales concludes assurance check of Swansea Council’s children's services
The inspection, which took place between 16 and 19 March 2026, assessed the local authority's performance in exercising their duties and functions in line with legislation.
Findings
The inspection found a values-driven service with visible leadership and a deeply embedded ‘Signs of Safety’ practice framework.
Children's participation is a clear strength, with practitioners using creative methods to capture children's views and shape both individual plans and service development.
Prevention and early intervention are well coordinated, with 98% of Single Point of Contact decisions made within one working day.
Initiatives including Born into Care, the JIG-SO pathway and the Domestic Abuse Hub were identified as positive practice.
Safeguarding arrangements are well-established, with strong multi-agency partnership working, particularly around exploitation and contextual risk.
The inspection also found areas for improvement.
Some children are accommodated in unregistered arrangements due to placement sufficiency pressures. The local authority must ensure children are placed in registered services.
Conference and review documentation is not consistently shared within required timescales, and feedback to partner agencies following safeguarding referrals is not always timely. The local authority must address both issues in line with the Wales Safeguarding Procedures.
Chronology information should also be used more consistently to support understanding of cumulative harm, and record keeping should better evidence the impact of quality assurance activity.
CIW expects Swansea Council to address all areas identified for improvement.
Next steps
Progress will be monitored through ongoing performance review activity. The local authority is also expected to share its positive practice with other local authorities to support continuous improvement across Wales.