The AWCPPRG is tasked with producing and keeping up to date the All Wales Child Protection Procedures. The group has a mandate and representation from all of Wales’ Local Safeguarding Children Boards and partner agencies.

The group also produces other protocols, which are appropriate to an All Wales basis and is a platform for sharing good practice across Wales.

The AWCPPRG meets on a regular basis in Llandrindod Wells. Jill Green is Chair, with Kathryn Lewis as deputy chair.

All Wales Child Protection Proceedures 2008

The main work of the group during 2007 was the rewrite of the 2002 All Wales Child Protection Procedures.

These have now been rewritten and substantially revised to take into account more recent changes in policy and legislation. This includes the recommendations of the Victoria Climbie Inquiry Report; the Children Act 2004; and the accompanying guidance, Safeguarding Children: Working Together under the Children Act 2004 released last year. The new procedures have been produced on behalf of all Local Safeguarding Children Boards in Wales and The implementation date for these updated procedures has been agreed for April 1^st 2008. It is intended that annual updates will be produced to respond to future changes which will form part of the future workplan of the All Wales Child Protection Procedures Review Group.

The All Wales Child Protection Proceedures are an essential part of the wider agenda of safeguarding children and promoting their welfare.  The common standards they provide guide and inform child protection practice in each of the 22 Local Safeguarding Children Boards across Wales.  They outline the framework for determining how individual child protection referrals, actions and plans are made and carried out.  They are based on the principle that the protection of children from harm is the responsibility of all individuals and agencies working with children and families, and with adults who may pose a risk to children.  Partnership working and communication between agencies is identified as key in order to identify vulnerable children and to help keep them safe from harm and abuse.

The revised Procedures include 4 All Wales Protocols for Safeguarding Children in Specific Circumstance

• Handling complaints from families about the functioning of the child protection conference
• Safeguarding children in whom illness is fabricated or induced
• Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of sexually active young people
• The protection of children from abuse via information technology

In line with the Children Act 2004, each Local Safeguarding Children Board will have a key role and responsibility for ensuring that the revised All Wales Child Protection Procedures are fully implemented within their areas.  They will also have to monitor their effectiveness.

The 2008 Procedures became operational across Wales on 1st April 2008. 

Requests for hard copies can be made through each Local Safeguarding Children Board.

A PDF version can be downloaded from this website at the link below: