Safeguarding People Is ‘Everybody’s Business’

The safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children and adults in Mid and West Wales is the focus of a new website to be launched today (Monday, November 14). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It has been developed by the regional safeguarding boards for children and adults, CYSUR and CWMPAS. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The purpose is to provide an information-sharing hub accessible to members of the public and professional agencies across the whole region – encompassing Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It also supports the safeguarding boards’ vision of professional agencies working together to promote safety and wellbeing, says Julie Breckon, manager of CYSUR and CWMPAS. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The website can be used by parents and carers, children and young people, adults at risk of harm, teachers, health professionals, police officers, probation officers, youth workers, voluntary agencies, and community members,” she said. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It will provide up to date safeguarding news, information on training in relation to safeguarding matters and events across the region, as well as useful contact information and links.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The launch of the website marks the beginning of National Safeguarding Week, which starts on 14th November and continues until 18th November. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As part of the week, a series of events will be held across Mid and West Wales promoting the message that ‘safeguarding is everyone’s business’. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The events are being organised by CYSUR, the regional safeguarding children’s board, together with CWMPAS – the regional safeguarding adult’s board. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The purpose is to promote and raise awareness with members of the public within our local communities and across professional networks of children and vulnerable adults who may be at risk of harm,” said Julie Breckon. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Rebecca Evans, Minister for Social Services and Public Health, said: “We want to make sure that children and adults in Wales are protected from abuse or neglect and that those around them know how to recognise the signs and dangers. Through the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 we have introduced an effective partnership approach to safeguarding. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The website, which has been developed by the regional board, will help share information and expertise on safeguarding issues and ensure the safety of vulnerable children and adults in Mid and West Wales.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Visit Carmarthen Market on Wednesday November 16 and Llanelli Market on Thursday November 17, 10am-1pm, to speak to staff about any concerns or queries you may have around abusive behaviour. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​