Joyce welcomes support for Looked-after Children in the Children and Young Persons Bill

Joyce Watson AM welcomes support for Looked-after Children in the Children and Young Persons Bill

Speaking about the Children and Young Persons Bill after the Welsh Assembly Queen’s Speech debate, the Vice-Chair of the Cross-party group for Looked-after Children, JOYCE WATSON AM said:

“Some of our most vulnerable children end up being looked after in the care system, and they deserve the best possible start in life. These children should receive good parenting and stability thoughout the system.

“I am encouraged by the provisions made for looked-after children in the Children and Young Persons Bill.

“In particular, I welcome the moves to strengthen educational stability by restricting school moves at Key stage 4. Currently children in care are five times more likely to move schools in years 10 and 11 than other children, and this has obvious and detrimental implications for their chances of educational success.

“The Bill also makes important steps towards support for previously looked-after children, supporting care leavers to go on to Higher Education with a bursary. At present, almost a third of previously looked-after children are not in education, employment or training at the age of 19.

“But where effective policies are devised and delivered, there are successes to be had. Since the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 came into force in 2002 the proportion known to be participating in education and employment or training at the age of 19 has increased by eight per cent.

“Together with the £2 million that the Assembly Government has made available over two years to raise the achievement of looked-after children, I believe this Bill represents a real opportunity for progress in the field.”