Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Social Justice – in the Senedd at 2:09 pm on 9 November 2022.
Thank you very much, Jenny, for that question. I fully recognise the importance of the equality impact assessment and how that guides us in terms of moving forward with this all-important Flying Start programme, which has such an impact on children's lives. Now, of course, as you are fully aware and you're so engaged with this, not every family receiving phase 2 provision would require further services, but the families who do need that additional support will continue to have the opportunity to access support through existing routes. So, I hope that gives you some reassurance about phase 2, learning from phase 1. If they need additional support, they will be able to access that, and if we can reassure the parents or Cardiff Council about the importance and the impact of the expansion that's going to take place.
Clearly, the Deputy Minister for Social Services is working very closely with local authorities in terms of monitoring whether phase 2 provision leads to increased referrals to other services, and we'll work very flexibly with local services to support them to meet additional needs. But I think what's really important is that Flying Start is able to provide and offer that high-quality childcare environment, coupled with high-quality staff, in supporting improved outcomes for children. I do think, in terms of the importance and the announcement that was made recently by the Deputy Minister for Social Services, as part of the Plaid Cymru partnership and the co-operation agreement, with Siân Gwenllian, it's so important that we've got this extension of the £26 million over the next two years to expand Flying Start to support long-term positive impacts on the lives of children and families across Wales.
And just finally, Llywydd, just to say that, obviously, I'm responsible for tackling poverty as well, and we know that the provision of childcare is crucial, and with the evidence and indeed the Wales Centre for Public Policy and the Bevan Foundation showing that investment in childcare, with an additional 3,000 two-year-olds accessing high-quality childcare, is a huge step forward in terms of tackling child poverty.