LIVED EXPERIENCE IN SAFEGUARDING - National Safeguarding Week 2026

National Safeguarding Week 2026: 9th to 13th November 2026

Lived Experience is the theme of a wide-ranging programme of events taking place across Mid and West Wales for National Safeguarding Week, commencing on 9th November 2026. The programme has been coordinated by CWMPAS and CYSUR, the Mid and West Wales Regional Safeguarding Board, and has been designed to recognise the importance of listening to and learning from people's experiences, ensuring that their voices help shape how we understand risk, respond to harm and improve safeguarding practice. Throughout the week, practitioners, communities and partner organisations will come together to explore how lived experience can deepen professional understanding, challenge assumptions and strengthen safeguarding responses for children, adults and families across the region.

The programme will be attended by practitioners responsible for safeguarding children and adults within our communities, including social workers, police officers, nurses, health professionals, teachers, youth workers, probation staff, third sector organisations and community groups. A diverse range of learning opportunities will take place throughout the week, exploring key safeguarding themes including transitional safeguarding, understanding lived experience through practice reviews, positive masculinity and challenging misogyny, financial abuse, domestic abuse, and safeguarding responsibilities across agencies.

A highlight of the week will be the Regional Safeguarding Conference, "Learning from Lived Experience to Prevent Sexual Harm Together," taking place at Pembrokeshire College, Haverfordwest, on Thursday 12th November 2026. The conference will focus on sexual abuse and sexual harm through a lived-experience lens and will feature a range of nationally recognised speakers, including survivors, safeguarding experts and practitioners. The event will provide opportunities to learn directly from lived experience and consider how services can better prevent abuse and support those affected by harm.

Alongside the regional events, local authorities, health partners, police and third sector organisations across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys will deliver their own activities and engagement sessions. These include opportunities for children and young people to share their experiences, awareness-raising events, community learning activities and practitioner training sessions focused on improving safeguarding outcomes through listening to the voices of those with direct experience of services and support.

Michael Gray, Chair of the Mid and West Wales Regional Safeguarding Board for Adults, says:

"The Mid and West Wales Regional Safeguarding Board is delighted to be hosting a comprehensive programme of events for National Safeguarding Week 2026. This year's theme of Lived Experience reflects our commitment to listening to the voices of children, adults, families and communities, and ensuring that their experiences help shape safeguarding practice across our region. Through learning, reflection and partnership working, these events will support practitioners to better understand people's experiences

and strengthen our collective efforts to protect and support those who may be at risk of harm."

Audrey Somerton Edwards, Chair of the Mid and West Wales Regional Safeguarding Board for Children, added:

"Listening to people with lived experience is one of the most powerful ways we can learn and improve. National Safeguarding Week provides an important opportunity for professionals across agencies to come together, hear those voices directly, and reflect on how we can continue to develop services that keep children, young people and adults safe. We are particularly pleased that this year's programme includes dedicated opportunities for children and young people to contribute their experiences and shape future safeguarding practice."

You can follow the Mid and West Wales Regional Safeguarding Board on social media via X/Twitter @CYSURCymru, Facebook @CYSURCymru and Instagram @cysurcymru for safeguarding updates and information throughout the week.