Joint inspection identifies Pembrokeshire's child protection strengths and challenges amid rising demand
A joint inspection of child protection arrangements in Pembrokeshire has found that while children are generally protected from abuse and neglect, there are inconsistencies in safeguarding practices that require improvement during a period of significantly increasing demand.
The Joint Inspection of Child Protection Arrangements (JICPA) was carried out between 17-21 March 2025 by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW), His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales (Estyn).
The inspection highlighted a challenging safeguarding context in Pembrokeshire:
- The number of children on the Child Protection Register has doubled in just two years (from 58 in March 2023 to 118 in February 2025)
- Children looked after by the local authority has increased by 29% (from 242 to 312 in the same period)
- Referrals are becoming increasingly complex
This rise in demand comes during significant budgetary pressures for all agencies, emphasising the importance of effective multi-agency collaboration.
Key strengths identified
The inspection found several positive aspects of Pembrokeshire's child protection arrangements:
- Children in Pembrokeshire are generally protected from abuse, neglect and harm through adequate multi-agency responses
- Most children experience reasonable involvement in their care and support with sufficient outcomes
- Care and Support Protection Plans (CASPP) are often completed to a high standard, with conference chairs writing summaries directly to children - highlighting good practice in keeping focus on the child's experience
- Good multi-agency attendance at core groups, child protection conferences, and CLA Reviews
- Improved Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) waiting times, with most children now assessed within 28 days of referral
Areas for improvement
The report also identified challenges that need addressing:
- Inconsistent inter-agency communication, particularly between health services and social workers
- The Childcare Assessment Team (CAT) faces significant demand pressures, affecting timely responses
- Inconsistent quality assurance processes limiting oversight of practice quality
- Initial Child Protection Conferences not consistently held within required 15-day timeframe
Pembrokeshire Council have been asked to prepare a multi-agency response, involving Social Services, Education, Hywel Dda University Health Board, and Dyfed-Powys Police. This action plan will address the findings and inform future inspection activities.
A spokesperson from HIW said:
“Children and young people must be safeguarded through consistent, timely, and effective multi-agency working. While it is encouraging that children in Pembrokeshire are generally protected from harm, the inspection has highlighted areas where safeguarding practices must be strengthened to meet rising levels of need.
The significant increase in the number of children on the Child Protection Register and those looked after by the local authority underscores the urgency for robust systems and shared accountability across all agencies. It is vital that professionals have access to the right information at the right time, and that communication channels are clear and reliable.
We remain committed to working with our partners to address these challenges and drive improvements. Our joint inspections are a key mechanism for identifying what’s working well and where change is needed, so that every child in Wales receives the protection and support they deserve.”