A report out today (Tuesday 7 May) highlights persistently high levels of demand and increasing complexity in children's safeguarding in Cardiff.
The report by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) with His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) and Estyn looked at the multi-agency respose to abuse and neglect of children in the city in January.
Budget challenges, deficits in the number of practitioners and a competitive market, have resulted in an increasing proportion of newly qualified and inexperienced workers across partner agencies, the report found.
However, inspectors reported a positive focus on safeguarding across the local authority, local police force and health board. The report found that practitioners mostly understand their roles and responsibilities in the context of protecting children. Information is generally shared appropriately and in a timely way when concerns are identified about children's safety and well-being.
There is good multi-agency participation in child protection meetings arranged under the Wales Safeguarding Procedures, with police attendance at review child protection conferences having significantly improved.
Children and their families' views are heard. The Police and Crime Commissioner funds a range of initiatives supporting children and families affected by violence and harm.
Safeguarding of pupils is a high priority in schools and the pupil referral unit (PRU) and as a result, they are safe places for pupils to learn. Schools and the PRU know pupils and their families well and respond to meeting their needs. There are lots of opportunities for children to be involved in plans and decisions.
But HIW did identify areas of immediate concern in relation to the health board's safeguarding of children arrangements that could pose an immediate risk to their safety. HIW has asked the health board provide an improvement plan, which has since been received and accepted by HIW.
For all the findings and recommendations, you can read the full report and a child-friendly version, here: