Independent Oversight and Stronger Evidence Standards in Welsh Social Services
Open for signatures until 23 March 2027.
100 signatures
- More than 250 signatures: considered by the Petitions CommitteeNot reached
- More than 10,000 signatures: considered for a debate in the SeneddNot reached
Social services in Wales require stronger evidence standards, transparent record-keeping and genuinely independent oversight. Reform is needed to ensure decisions affecting children and families are accountable, rights-compliant, trauma-informed and based on accurate, properly scrutinised evidence.
More details
Key changes required to strengthen the social services framework include:
• Clear evidential standards distinguishing verified facts from disputed allegations and professional opinion.
• Meaningful parental participation, timely access to records, and effective scrutiny of factual discrepancies before decisions affecting family life are made.
• Genuinely independent oversight and review where core evidence or professional conclusions are contested.
• Accurate recording and consideration of children's wishes, feelings and family relationships.
• Clear statutory duties supporting transparency, evidence access and procedural rights.
• Access to suitably trained, independent domestic-abuse specialists within relevant proceedings, supporting contemporary trauma-informed practice.
Implementation should include stronger statutory duties, robust practitioner guidance, mandatory evidence-evaluation training, and reasonable timeframes for families to challenge underlying records.
Signatures by constituency
The Senedd's petitions website lists 70 of the 100 signatures under a Senedd constituency.
| Constituency | Signatures |
|---|---|
| Caerdydd Penarth | 47 |
| Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf | 18 |
| Casnewydd Islwyn | 1 |
| Ceredigion Penfro | 1 |
| Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg | 1 |
| Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr | 1 |