I'd first of all like to congratulate the Minister on his new position whilst acknowledging the outstanding commitment made by Carl Sargeant to the role.

I would like to thank the children’s commissioner and her team for their continuing hard work standing up for the rights of Welsh children and young people. As the commissioner has highlighted, the Welsh Government have accepted all the recommendations of the 'The Right Care' report and the Welsh Government have set up a task and finish group to deliver change for those in residential care in Wales.

However, the change is not happening fast enough, particularly for children and young people within my region of South Wales West. Bridgend council’s provision is particularly poor. Yesterday, media outlets reported on findings by the new director of social services and well-being that show that a high number of children are being placed in out-of-county care because the courts simply do not trust the service. These children who have already had the worst possible start in life are being taken away from the area, miles away from anyone they know. 

This isn't the only time in the last few months that children's services in Bridgend have been the recipient of bad press. Earlier this year there were warnings that children in care in the county could be at risk of of sexual exploitation because the homes were based in areas where criminal activity, threats to kill and child abuse have taken place. These concerns appear to have placed significant doubt with the courts for them to have no trust in the service's ability to look after the children in its care.

The children's commissioner has shown that care homes have an important role to play in providing the right kind of care for some children and young people in Wales. She challenged the Welsh Government to improve the system. It is clear that not enough has been done to date. I am grateful to the children’s commissioner for her commitment in her annual report to continue to press the Welsh Government and local authorities to meet the duties under the social services and well-being Act. Bridgend council are not meeting the needs of children in care and I urge the new Minister for Children to take urgent action. Diolch yn fawr.