Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Firstly, I’d like to thank Julie Morgan for leading this debate today. While the comments I can make on these specific allegations are necessarily limited, it is always important for us to learn from the past and acknowledge the lifelong consequences of abuse for survivors. As Julie set out the specific issues concerning historical allegations relating to pupils at the Royal Cambrian and Llandrindod Wells residential schools for deaf children, first and foremost, anyone with any information relating to abuse or neglect should report the information to the relevant local authority or the police, who have the duty and the powers to investigate. We take all such allegations extremely seriously and I’d encourage those people who feel they need care and support, as a result of abuse, to contact their local authority for advice and the care of support services in their area. I know we all agree that the abuse of children is abhorrent and unacceptable. We must ensure that we do all we can to prevent abuse happening.

As has been mentioned in this debate, disabled children can be particularly vulnerable to abuse. Protecting vulnerable people is a priority for this Government. It’s been pointed out that disabled children were not always listened to; that, at times, they struggled to secure attention; and they were not afforded the same rights as those who were not disabled. Working with local authority partners, there is now an entitlement to advocacy support. Children, particularly those with communication needs, can access a trusted adult, including a family member, the child’s social worker, independent visitor, or a child advocate. We know that disabled children did not always get the support when they needed it. We’ve made those changes now. So, if a disabled child is at risk of abuse, neglect or harm, they will get immediate support. The changes we’ve made will ensure children with disabilities are listened to, and that they get the support that they do need. It’s putting the child first. It’s a child-centred approach. We’ve moved on significantly.

Members will be aware that we’ve recently introduced the social services and well-being legislation, where professionals and our statutory partners now have a duty to report abuse. We also established the national independent safeguarding board and the regional safeguarding boards. They strengthen our safeguarding procedures and bring professionals together to ensure our aspiration to prevent abuse is high on the agenda. The boards are also, Llywydd, supported further by the all-Wales child protection procedures, and the review group have made a mandate to produce and share good practice across Wales. This does strengthen the safeguarding arrangements here in Wales.

As a Government, we’ve learnt that there should never be complacency that these problems are of the past. There is a need for continuing our vigilance. As we’ve learnt more from those who’ve been abused, we have acted by introducing legislation and through our policies and guidance. Llywydd, we have taken action to safeguard against abuse, promote welfare and treat all children with dignity and respect. As a Government we must, and will, continue to listen, to learn and to legislate, and we will ensure that Welsh institutions discharge their duty of care to protect children from abuse. This is a job for all of us. Thank you.