The Wales Safer Communities Network has launched a new pilot Foundations of Community Safety in Wales training programme. This marks an important step forward in strengthening skills, knowledge and consistency across the community safety workforce in Wales.
Developed in response to a sector-wide skills gap identified through research led by Swansea University, the programme provides a core baseline of knowledge for those working in or alongside community safety. The content has been informed by practitioner insight, where members of the Network have contributed to development, and provided case studies, and the initial draft of the training was developed by Swansea University’s Ella Rabiotti. The training aims to provide a core baseline of knowledge for those working across community safety, helping to build confidence, capability and shared understanding across multi-agency partners.
Community safety professionals in Wales operate in increasingly complex environments, often working across organisational and sector boundaries. Previous research has highlighted challenges around access to training, consistency of skills, and workforce capacity. This pilot programme has been developed to respond directly to these pressures.
The training offers an accessible and structured introduction to the key concepts, responsibilities and approaches that underpin effective community safety practice. In doing so, it supports practitioners to work more confidently and collaboratively across systems, helping to strengthen local delivery.
A practical, accessible learning offer
The pilot training has been designed with flexibility and accessibility in mind, recognising the pressures on practitioners’ time and resources. The programme brings together a range of learning materials and approaches, designed to be relevant to a broad audience across the community safety landscape.
Developed in collaboration with practitioners and partners across Wales, the content reflects real-world challenges and priorities. The focus is on practical, applicable learning—supporting participants to translate knowledge into action within their own roles and organisations.
The pilot phase will also provide an opportunity to gather feedback from participants, helping to refine and strengthen the programme ahead of a wider rollout. In future, the training will be available bilingually and delivered through a range of partner platforms, as well as directly through the Network.
Find out more about the training pilot and how to access this learning.
