Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:01 pm on 22 May 2018.
Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for your statement and also thank Professor Renold and the expert panel for their work, and all of those who contributed to the report and its recommendations? I disagree with Darren Millar. It isn't a decent report; I think it's an excellent report, and I think it's exactly the kind of report that Cabinet Secretaries should expect from these kinds of expert panels, with clear recommendations—ones that I would urge you to accept in their entirety. Maybe, just to start, I'd ask: what needs to happen for you to decide on the other ones then? How long do we have to wait, because you did receive the report at the end of last year, a full six months ago? When can we expect a full response to all of those recommendations? It would be good just to have an idea of what the hold-up is or what the reasons are for you to be reticent to confirm today that you're happy to accept all of the recommendations.
I would also challenge the assertion that children aren't ready at five. I have a five-year-old son, and I find myself already challenging some things that are said in our house, and to have the reassurance that the school will be reinforcing those messages, for me, is very, very important.
Now, I'm slightly confused, but I'm looking to you, clearly, for confirmation here, because I've seen some of the news coverage around the statement being made today, and they say that there'll be no change for religious schools. So, I just need clarity that all schools, including faith schools, will now have that statutory duty upon them, because children and young people who attend religious schools face the same challenges and need the same information as children who don't. I just need to be clear what the situation is, because in your statement you say:
'Wales must do more to support all of our young people to develop healthy relationships, maintain good mental health and keep safe.'
I presume that we share the same aspirations for children no matter what schools they attend. So, I just want to hear it from you this afternoon.
Clearly, it won't be rolled out as part of the new curriculum until 2022. Now, there are four years until then, and only then does it start to be rolled out. You've mentioned a few things: you want to push forward with the name change, you want to provide greater support. I'm just wondering how soon can we really effect some of these changes in the classroom, without having to wait until 2022. You've mentioned new guidance; I just need to be clear when exactly that will be expected to be reflected in what's happening in our classrooms across the country. And I won't miss the opportunity, as well, just to remind the Government that SchoolBeat is a programme that does cover some of these areas, albeit not with the focus that the changes being proposed would do, but it could reinforce many of these issues, as it does in terms of bullying, domestic abuse, sexual abuse and healthy relationships. I would press on you, once again, to influence your colleagues in Government to secure the long-term funding for SchoolBeat.
Now, we know, because the expert panel tells us, that a third of schools in Wales don't provide any staff training in safeguarding young people. You've clearly signalled that that's going to change. You've highlighted the £200,000 for the consortia, which is, what, £50,000 each—£50,000 to Women's Aid as well. Now, clearly, as welcome as that is, it isn't enough, I'd imagine, to have the broad and the deep impact that we are hoping this policy change will have. So, I'm just wondering what more the Government can do in the medium term in that respect. You said that you're not going to tinker around the edges. You said that your vision is that we transform the way this area of study is delivered now and in the future. If that is your aspiration—and I don't have any reason to doubt it—then I can tell you now that Plaid Cymru will support you in that aspiration, and I very much welcome the statement.