5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Services: The Children (Wales) Act

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:09 pm on 22 March 2022.

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Photo of Julie Morgan Julie Morgan Labour 4:09, 22 March 2022

Diolch, and thank you very much for that heartfelt support for this Act, and also for recognising that this is a historic moment.

In terms of the points that you made, I think it's important to stress that everyone's ability to protect children will be improved by this Act. This Act was widely welcomed by all the health professionals—the health visitors, the doctors—and everybody who works with children, including the social workers who work in a professional capacity with children, addressing the very difficult issues that we have to deal with. All of them said they wanted this Act to be passed. So, just addressing the Conservatives' opposition to this, they are speaking against what the professionals also think. They were almost completely united, the professionals were, that this is what they wanted.

And it does make it much easier, because parenting is very difficult, so I think we all have to recognise—. We all recognise how difficult parenting is, and we want to make it as easy as we possibly can for parents. I know how much I welcomed support, and I think that the support that we're offering here is, as I say, in addition. It's additional money, it's generous money—£810,000 per year to the local authorities for three years—to specifically concentrate on bringing a tailored response to an out-of-court disposal. So, it will be geared up to the particular individuals.

It needs to be very well thought out, because I can't say what a huge amount of preparation has gone into this Act. Since it was passed we've had two really intensive years, looking at all the issues that Heledd so rightly raises. I saw that clip on the television, with the worry about whether parents would be worried and wouldn't want to open up, and that's why I think it behoves us and the services to make it quite clear to them that we are putting in extra help for this. We want people to share what they feel, and I think we've just got to go on recognising that we do need to give support, because parenting is difficult. This isn't anything to do with the nanny state; the support we're giving is the support that we should give as a Government to our citizens.

So, I agree with Heledd: it's an absolutely great day. I'm thrilled that Wales is doing it, and I'm so glad for your support. Diolch.