In 2017, Ysgol Friars underwent an inspection by Estyn -
https://estyn.gov.wales/system/files/2020-08/Ysgol%2520Friars.pdf
In June, 2023, Estyn undertook an inspection of education services in cyngor Gwynedd -
https://www.estyn.gov.wales/system/files/?file=2023-09/Inspection%20report%20Cyngor%20Gwynedd%202023_0.pdf
It's not my fault...
But cyngor Gwynedd did not have an effective digital strategy at this time.
Geraint Owen, the former corporate director, was responsible for the strategy and had to defend himself at one council meeting for not creating the strategy...!
Estyn's analysis of the safeguarding arrangements within cyngor Gwynedd was completely wrong...
How did Estyn get it so wrong..?
Questions remain as to Estyn's diligence and methods of scrutiny.
Some clues can be found in another report dated September 2023, co-produced by Estyn, Health Inspectorate Wales and Care Inspectorate Wales after the death of Child T, from Bridgend.
Rapid review of child protection arrangements
The full report can be found here -
https://www.careinspectorate.wales/sites/default/files/2023-09/230928-Rapid-review-of-child-protection-arangements-en.pdf
On page 15 -
The effective child protection model incorporating the Risk Model, utilised by cyngor Gwynedd, was created by Dafydd Paul, the senior safeguarding and quality officer for the council.
In March, 2022, a project evaluation of the ECP was undertaken by Bruce Thornton, a consultant and trainer in social care. His report can be found here -
https://www.effectivechildprotection.wales/sites/default/files/Effective%20Child%20Protection%20Project%20Evaluation_%20Full%20Report.pdf
Thornton writes -
I was asked to examine whether child protection in Gwynedd is more effective as a consequence of adopting the Effective Child Protection model?
The unequivocal answer to that question is ‘Yes’
Obviously not...
The model focuses on parents needing to change behaviours but appears not to mention the risk of abuse from those in a position of trust/authority. The last child abuse scandal in this area of north Wales involved those in a position of trust/authority over children in care...
Paul is believed to be 'absent from work' since the Spring of 2025, as is Marian Parry Hughes, the head of children's SS department. Cyngor Gwynedd refuse to confirm the identities of the officers until investigations commissioned by the HR department are complete.
When will that be..?
Have the investigations looked at the role of the senior officer within the legal department who was present at the safeguarding meeting in 2019 re Foden or is it focused solely on the officers within the children's department?
A reminder that Foden physically abused boys..
It gets worse...
Estyn and Care Inspectorate Wales held a Joint inspection with a focus on safeguarding in Gwynedd Council in November, 2025. That report can be found here -
https://estyn.gov.wales/app/uploads/2025/12/Safeguarding-inspection-report-Gwynedd-Council-2026.pdf
On page 11 -
The 'effective child protection' model created by Dafydd Paul - in 2019 - appears to have failed in Gwynedd.
Estyn and Care Inspectorate Wales chose not to name Paul, simply referring to him as a 'senior leader in the children and families department. For why?
Perhaps this report should be removed out of respect
for the children and families involved?
As an evidence base, the investigators included -
• A meeting with members of the education and social care scrutiny boards.
• Meetings with practitioners, staff, officers, managers, senior officers, elected members, leaders of scrutiny committees (a total of 20 meetings)
• Scrutiny of sample files (24 child safeguarding cases under Section 3 and Section 5 of the Wales Safeguarding Procedures for the period between 1/09/24 and 30/09/25)
Shifting blame...
Sounds great the scrutinising of sample files, some presumably written by the same officers now absent from work? BUT do they give a true representation of the facts? Some officers have history...
Where is the public inquiry?
At the extraordinary council meeting, in February, Dafydd Gibbard stated that he had had a response from the government and that 'we need to share that'.
Gibbard did not share the response at the meeting - so is there to be a public inquiry?
Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council...
