RoSPA has released new guidance for local authorities on creating and implementing water safety policy.

The responsibility for managing water safety has been a key RoSPA policy issue for several years.  Following comprehensive research over the past decade in Scotland, RoSPA has now released the first ever comprehensive report on water safety management by local authorities in Wales.

This research report provides the first full insight into how water safety is currently managed across Wales and provides a baseline for future understanding and benchmarking.

Some of the key findings for the report include:

• Although water safety is considered an important issue by 91% of local authorities in Wales, only 9% have a dedicated water safety policy in place
• Leadership in water safety is varied across Wales - only 50% of local authorities have a designated lead
• 64% of local authorities have conducted risk assessments of their open water bodies within the last 24 months
• Just over half of the local authorities are aware of Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy.

The full report along with its key recommendations can be accessed here:

This research will also be presented at RoSPA’s National Water Safety Conference. The conference, which will be held in Birmingham on March 12, 2025, focuses on collaboration, innovation and inclusion. You can get your ticket for the conference here.

This research report also follows the release of ‘Water Safety Policy – A Guide’ which has been created in partnership with Water Safety Scotland to provide step by step guidance to create a policy.  The guide can be used across the UK to help landowners and local authorities with water safety management.