‘Too many children in Wales still not getting chance of decent life’
CHILDREN with mental health problems, those living in poverty, and those who have been looked after or in care are still being denied their chance to be the best they can be, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales warns in her annual report, published today.
Professor Sally Holland called on the Welsh Government to publish a specific programme for children and young people with a clearly defined action plan for fulfilling its commitments to them to ensure “no child is disadvantaged in realising their right to reach their full potential”.
Calling for more child-centred policies from the Welsh Government, she added that uncertainty in the wake of June’s Brexit vote could add to the delay in addressing the issue.
Prof Holland said any post-Brexit settlement must ensure no groups of children are left behind.
“Children in Wales do not start
out on a level playing-field, with some facing far more barriers than others in life,” the report says.
“The Welsh Government, in its Programme for Government, has pledged to give every child in Wales the best start in life. We know what the barriers are but I’m concerned that the uncertainty surrounding the impact of Brexit on Wales will see a delay in us breaking down these barriers for some of our most disadvantaged children and young people.
“A post-Brexit settlement for Wales must ensure that no groups of children are left behind. A successful Wales after Brexit must work for everyone.
“If the Welsh Government is serious in its ambition for children then we must make sure that they take a child-centred approach to policy developments.
“I am encouraged that we now have a Cabinet Secretary dedicated to children but this must translate into tangible, positive changes to children’s lives.
“I’d like to see the government now move without delay to introduce the “once-in-alifetime” laws that are in the pipeline in relation to providing children with the same protection from physical assault that adults enjoy, and better support for children with additional learning needs to help drive significant improvements in the lives of our most vulnerable.”
The commissioner’s annual report details other areas for improvement, including a requirement that parents who educate their children at home register their intention to do so, and that children educated at home should be seen by someone outside their family to be asked their views on their education.
Prof Holland said she was concerned some children who are home-educated are “completely under the radar”.
On children’s mental health she welcomed new targets for waiting-lists for clinical services and some new investment in children’s mental health, but raised concerns that children were still not receiving help early enough and in the right places, such as at home and at school.
Her report warns waiting-list targets will not be met in many areas of Wales in their first year of implementation, and Prof Holland is calling for mental health prevention and early help to be part of a wholeschool approach by the time the new school curriculum is fully implemented in 2021.
On adoption, the report says evidence from casework brought to the commissioner’s office has indicated that access to post-adoption support and life story work remains inconsistent across Wales, with current levels of funding for support lagging behind those in England.
Responding to the report, a Welsh Government spokesman said: “We thank the Children’s Commissioner for her report. We will study it and respond in due course.
“The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children has already outlined his priorities for children, which include investing in early years and preventing adverse childhood experiences.”