Background on Neil Foden's Convictions
Neil Foden was found guilty of 19 counts of sexually abusing four girls over a period of four years.
Concerns Over Gwynedd Council's Response Time
Gwynedd Council has been criticized for taking excessive time to hold staff accountable and for missing opportunities to prevent the offenses committed by pedophile Neil Foden, according to representatives of his survivors.
This revelation comes as a Newyddion S4C program disclosed that a senior council manager, who was aware of concerns regarding the former headteacher, continued to provide child safeguarding training six months after Foden's imprisonment.
An investigative report published in November concluded that agencies missed over 50 chances to stop the former head of Friars School, Bangor, from sexually abusing young girls.
Gwynedd Council has since adopted a response plan to address crimes linked to Foden and stated that it cannot share information about individual staff members.
Calls for Greater Powers to Prevent Sexual Offenders
There have been calls for the Welsh Government to consider granting more powers to prevent sexual offenders like Neil Foden from reoffending.
Over 50 Missed Opportunities to Prevent Abuse
The Child Practice Review (Adolygiad Ymarfer Plant, AYP), established after Foden's imprisonment in July 2024, found that several opportunities to prevent the pedophile were missed by some Gwynedd Council officials.
In one instance, the local authority received a warning from the NSPCC child protection charity about Foden's "inappropriate professional behaviour."
Despite concerns dating back to 2019, the safeguarding senior manager reportedly regarded the NSPCC warning as related to "professional boundaries rather than allegations of abuse."
The senior manager stated that the issue did not meet the threshold for action under the procedures in place at the time but might have under new processes scheduled for introduction later that year.
Details of Warnings and Council Response
Neil Foden was arrested on 6 September 2023.
Three weeks later, Gwynedd Council received another warning from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in the north, which supports victims.
This alert referred to an "over-familiar" relationship between Foden and a child.
Again, the senior manager judged that no action was required under the existing procedures.
The AYP report identifies these two cases, among others, as "missed opportunities."
Despite this, Newyddion S4C understands that the same officer continued to deliver child safeguarding training in January 2025, six months after Foden's imprisonment.
In May 2025, it emerged that individuals from Gwynedd Council's Children’s Department were "off work," with the council stating that "short-term arrangements" were in place.
Survivors' Lawyer Criticizes Council's Pace
Katherine Yates, the lawyer representing Neil Foden's survivors, stated that Gwynedd Council should have "acted more quickly."
"They could have done more earlier," she said.
"It was too convenient for them to say 'We'll leave things, the AYP is being prepared so we'll wait.'
"That's not good enough. They could have acted while the report was being prepared.
"All we have now is delay. My clients tell me 'Look, Foden was arrested in September 2023. It is now March 2026.'
"There is no sense of urgency. No sense of duty to the victims and their families.
"It feels to me they should be moving much faster. Certainly, more transparency is needed.
"I fear this is all about accountability. Until someone is held accountable, there is no certainty this cannot happen again."
Council States Safeguarding Arrangements Have Improved
Gwynedd Council has appointed external consultants to manage any disciplinary and employment processes related to the Foden case.
However, child rights expert Helen Mary Jones emphasized the need for the local authority to set a clear timetable.
"I believe what they could do within the law as it stands is set a timetable so families, victims, and the people of Gwynedd generally know when these processes will conclude.
"It is easy for professionals in the field to understand these processes take a long time.
"If I were a mother of one of the young people who has suffered, I am not sure I would find much comfort in that fact.
"Because if we want to have faith that the culture has changed, people must be held accountable."
Council's Official Statement
A spokesperson for Gwynedd Council said:
"The Justice Through Our Courage report highlighted a significant number of missed opportunities by Gwynedd Council, and learning the lessons identified is a top priority for the council.
"Concrete steps have been taken to implement changes and do everything possible to ensure these failures are not repeated.
"Our safeguarding arrangements have now changed and been strengthened, and we will continue to improve.
"Regarding human resources matters, like any employer, we cannot discuss or comment on individual employment issues, and it would not be appropriate for any officer involved in this process to comment either.
"We acknowledge public concerns about these matters and want to assure the people of Gwynedd that we are following all proper legal steps expected of us as an employer, led by external experts."
Further Information and Contact Details
Follow Cymru Fyw on Facebook, X, Instagram, or TikTok.
Send story ideas to cymrufyw@bbc.co.uk or contact via WhatsApp at 07709850033.
for the latest news from Wales on your mobile device.
