About the National Safeguarding Service

The National Safeguarding Service (NSS) comprises an expert team providing coordinated, strategic leadership to improve safeguarding across the NHS in Wales. They are accountable to the Board of Public Health Wales for output delivery and the provision of independent expert professional advice. 

The NSS provides the strategic focus and professional lead to NHS Wales in order to promote the welfare and safeguarding of children (including those children and young people looked after by their Local Authority) and adults at risk.
 

The Service

Designated professionals provide a source of independent expert health advice from an 'All Wales' perspective.  The Service have particular skills as a source of independent health expertise in undertaking case reviews of serious abuse and neglect as well as child suicide.

The professional service comprises Designated Doctors, Nurses and a National GP Lead with significant safeguarding expertise and experience. They are supported by a Programme Manager and Business Support. See How to get in touch for details.
 

How We Work

Working collaboratively with stakeholders such as Welsh Government, Health Boards, NHS Trusts and Regional Safeguarding Boards the NSS aims to:

• Ensure that safeguarding is a priority in the prevention agenda of the NHS;
• Enhance integration and collaboration by NHS Wales and partner agencies;
• Improve and enhance the effectiveness of safeguarding practice;
• Influence national safeguarding priorities in NHS Wales with a focus on quality improvement.

Designated professionals provide a source of independent expert health advice from an 'All Wales' perspective.  The Service have particular skills as a source of independent health expertise in undertaking case reviews of serious abuse.

NHS Wales Safeguarding Network

Launched in 2012 and professionally led by the National Safeguarding Service (NHS Wales), ‘the Network' provides a vital bridge between strategies and arrangements at local level and national policy developments to support NHS Wales Health Boards and Trusts in discharging their responsibilities for safeguarding people.

The structure facilitates a collaborative environment to recognise common issues, develop solutions and achieve healthcare standards to better safeguard children and adults at risk. At its heart is evaluation of the efficiency and efficacy of safeguarding arrangements and interventions, as well as reduction in practice variation across the NHS.

Read the NHS Wales Safeguarding Network Annual Report.