Together we’ll keep children and young people safe as we rebuild from Covid-19

Non-statutory Guide for Practitioners

The Welsh Government has produced this non-statutory guide to remind practitioners working across agencies of their responsibilities to safeguard children and to support them in responding to concerns about children at risk.

The coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) has presented new and difficult challenges for everyone. Many households have been put under strain or have faced adversity because of the social, psychological and economic impact of the pandemic and of lockdown. We know that practitioners working across agencies in the statutory and third sector have had to adapt quickly to new ways of working, continuing to make sure that children and families get support. Services have done everything they can under difficult circumstances but we know that sadly some children will have come to harm without us knowing.

Many practitioners are very experienced in safeguarding practice; others may not feel as confident in this area of practice. This guide includes information that many practitioners are already aware of but we hope that pulling this together I nto one guide will be helpful.

This guide links to and should be used with the national Wales Safeguarding Procedures