Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:55 pm on 22 November 2017.
Can I commend Llyr for bringing forward this very important short debate? Like him, I think 'The Knowledge Gap' is a really important report, and I want to put on record my thanks to the Children's Society and the Church in Wales. I was delighted to be able to host and chair the launch of the report, actually, in the Senedd.
Can I say to Dawn that she makes really important points about the excellent practice in Gwent? South Wales Police are also developing really good practice, especially on the collecting of data and the need for joint working and looking at issues like policy on restraint. A lot of children go missing, and they're known about because the staff that could have intervened feel they cannot restrain. So, there are lots of layers to this problem that need careful thought. But I do commend the work of the police in this area.
Can I say, Deputy Presiding Officer, that the work of Carl Sargeant was really important? The leadership he gave on missing children was outstanding, and indeed he, after hearing the presentation by South Wales Police, asked for the ministerial group on outcomes for children to receive that presentation and have a full discussion, to which Gwent Police also came along. It was really, really important. These are highly vulnerable children, as we have heard, and there are now some very practical ways in which we could improve practice in this area, but it is something that needs vigilance and quick action, I think, because the outcomes for some of these children, when they're away from where they should be, in terms of their exploitation, criminally or whatever—it's a really, really critical area that needs attention. Thank you.