2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:44 pm on 7 December 2021.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:44, 7 December 2021

Thank you. Certainly, the horrific murder of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes has I think shocked many of us. And here in Wales you'll be aware that we've had the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which introduced strengthened and robust safeguarding arrangements for Wales, and that really underpinned the Wales safeguarding procedures and all-Wales practice guides. And they're owned by the safeguarding boards and they were issued back in 2019 and they do provide us with that consistent, evidence-based safeguarding practice across Wales, and, as a Government, we will continue to work with the National Independent Safeguarding Board Wales and the regional safeguarding children boards so that we can support those practices.

I think you make a very important point about who harmed Arthur, and I think it's often the case that the people who should be absolutely protecting and looking after their children are not the ones to do so. And I think we also need to pay tribute to the challenges that our social workers face on a daily basis. Intervention in private family life has got to be proportionate and appropriate, and I think the point that you raised about your own personal case is very important also. And, again, the Welsh Government has done a great deal of work to provide training.