Safeguarding learners and young people is central to our role as the independent, professional regulator for the education workforce in Wales.

Our work provides the essential structures that help ensure those entrusted with the education, development, and support of learners and young people meet the highest standards of conduct, competence, and accountability. These structures exist not only to support professionalism across the workforce, but to protect learners and young people, parents/guardians, and the wider public.

Supporting safeguarding through professional regulation

We support safeguarding in a number of interconnected ways.

Registration

Registration is a key part of safeguarding. It ensures that those working in the education workforce in Wales are qualified, where necessary, and suitable to practice.

Our Register is publicly accessible, allowing employers, parents, and guardians to check the registration status of any individual.

By maintaining the Register, we provide assurance that those working with learners and young people meet the requirements expected of the profession.

The Code of Professional Conduct and Practice

The Code sets out the standards expected of all registrants, supporting their day-to-day professional judgements and behaviour.

It also plays an important role beyond the workforce. For learners and young people, and parents/guardians, it provides clarity on what they should expect from a registered education professional.

Fitness to practise

Where concerns are raised that a registrant may not have met the standards set out in the Code, we decide how those concerns should be dealt with in accordance with our disciplinary procedures and rules.

Our role is not to punish registrants. Our focus is to safeguard learners and young people, uphold public confidence, and ensure only those suitable remain registered and eligible to practice in Wales.

Good practice guides

We publish and regularly update a series of good practice guides to support registrants in meeting the expectations of the Code.

These guides focus on real situations professionals may encounter, helping them to reflect on professional judgement, appropriate boundaries, and decision-making in practice.

Events and on-demand webinars

We host live events and on-demand webinars featuring expert speakers, supporting registrants to engage with evolving practice and reflect on safeguarding and related issues.

Professional development

We support registrants throughout their careers with guidance and resources, including the Professional Learning Passport (PLP).

The PLP is a flexible online e-portfolio available to all EWC registrants. It’s packed with features that are designed to support them in capturing, reflecting, sharing, and planning their learning with the ultimate aim of helping to shape their ongoing professional development and practice.

Working with others

Safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and no single organisation can do it alone.

We work closely with employers, representative bodies, trade unions, and the Welsh Government, to share insight, provide advice, and support informed decision-making. This includes drawing on our unique data, intelligence, and regulatory experience to help identify trends, highlight emerging issues, and inform policy and practice across the sector.

By working collaboratively in this way, we help support a joined-up approach to safeguarding, one that promotes consistency, accountability, and public confidence across the education system in Wales.

Our role during safeguarding week, and beyond

Our work is constant, supporting a professional education workforce that acts in the best interests of those it serves.

If you would like to find out more about our role, as well as the guidance, resources, and services we offer, visit our website.