New hub gets thousands of referrals about children

ALMOST 8,000 contacts or referrals about children were made to Bridgend’s new multi-agency safeguarding hub in one year.

From April 2018 to March 2019, there were 7,945 contacts or referrals about children and 275 about adults.

Speaking at a full Bridgend County Borough Council meeting, council leader Huw David said the figures indicated the scale of the problem in the county, adding they were on a similar scale across Wales and the UK.

The local authority recently marked National Safeguarding Week.

Councillor David said: “We teamed up with a range of different organisations to help mark the week, and staged a number of information events.

“New Wales safeguarding procedures were launched to provide guidance for practitioners, and specific training sessions were held which highlighted the use of tools such as the ‘ Bright Sky’ app, which is designed to provide support and information for anyone who may be directly experiencing or know someone who is suffering from domestic abuse, sexual abuse, stalking and harassment.”

He added: “Safeguarding is everyone’s business, and we all have a role to play including members in helping to help keep others safe.

“It is vital for everyone to be more aware of different types of harm, abuse and neglect, and to understand how to recognise the signs and dangers of it in others.

“I’d like to thank everyone who took part and helped organise, especially the hard working professionals at Bridgend Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub who on a daily basis assess and respond to the serious concerns raised.”