A NEW simplified way of working to protect adults and children at risk of neglect or abuse is now in effect in two parts of Wales.

Both the Cardiff and the Vale and Gwent regional safeguarding boards have formally adopted the new Wales Safeguarding Procedures.

Thousands of practitioners working with adults and children in these areas - such as teachers, nurses, social workers and volunteers – are now working to the same guidelines.

Vale council director of social services and co-chair of the Cardiff and the Vale Regional Safeguarding Board, Lance Carver said: “The adoption of the Wales Safeguarding Procedures by the first two regional safeguarding boards represents a significant milestone in improving how we all work together to better protect those at risk or harm or neglect.

“Anyone can view the procedures online or download the app.

“This is important as it means that everybody working with adults or children, no matter what they do, will always be able to find out quickly and easily what to do if they suspect an individual is at risk.

“We believe this will have a significant impact on how and when potential incidents of harm or neglect are reported.”

Wales became the first part of the UK to introduce a single set of digital safeguarding guidelines when the Wales Safeguarding Procedures were launched in November.

The procedures set out for anyone working with children or adults what to do if they suspect an individual is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse, neglect or other kinds of harm.

Uniquely there are no printed copies of the procedures.

Instead they are available to everyone online, either via the dedicated Wales Safeguarding Procedures website or a mobile app.

The Wales Safeguarding Procedures app is available for download via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

The procedures can also be viewed in English at safeguarding.wales and in Welsh at diogelu.cymru