We have published a joint rapid review of child protection arrangements in Wales
The review looked at to what extent the current structures and processes in Wales ensure children's names are appropriately placed on, and removed from, the child protection register (CPR) when sufficient evidence indicates it is safe to do.
Following the interim findings we published in June 2023, the full report has now been published. The inspectorates (which included Healthcare Inspectorate Wales and Estyn) found examples of positive practice including good information sharing between agencies. However, in the latter stages of the child protection process information sharing can be untimely and poor. This is compounded by agencies having different systems for recording information and workforce instability in the sectors that protect and support children and their families.
Gillian Baranski, Chief Inspector of Care Inspectorate Wales:
There were 3,670 children placed on the child protection register in Wales during 2021/22 . Ensuring there is a robust and consistent approach to child protection is imperative to keeping children safe.
Those involved in safeguarding children work incredibly hard and are committed to ensuring children’s safety. Their commitment must be applauded. However, it is impossible to ignore the significant challenges they are facing in providing care and support for children in Wales. Workforce challenges across the system, alongside the increase in demand for care and support and increasingly complex needs of children and their families means they may not always receive the care and support they need when they need it most.
I would like to thank everyone who took the time to contribute to this important piece of work and we look forward to working with our partners to make the recommendation set out in the report a reality.
To see all our findings and recommendations, read the full report below.