The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) has welcomed the Welsh Government’s decision to bring parts of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill into Wales. This will help ensure children in Wales have the same legal protections as those in England, strengthening safeguarding and supporting councils in their work.
Local authorities in Wales are committed to keeping children safe, and introducing these legal measures—covering secure accommodation, child ill-treatment offences, and children not in school—will provide greater clarity and support for their efforts.
Councillor Lis Burnett, WLGA Spokesperson for Education, said:
"Every child in Wales deserves to be safe, supported, and have access to education. Welsh councils are already working hard to ensure this, but applying these additional legal protections here will provide greater clarity and consistency. These measures will help safeguard vulnerable children, particularly those who are out of school or in care.
“It is crucial that local authorities have the right tools and legal frameworks to carry out their safeguarding responsibilities effectively. By ensuring that these provisions apply in Wales, we can strengthen protections and provide councils with the support they need to continue their vital work.
“We will continue to work closely with the Welsh Government to ensure these changes are effectively implemented at a local level."