Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru

Reducing the number of children in care is one of my top priorities. I have been working closely with local authority children’s services and the Judiciary to help achieve this. The recent Born into Care research provides further evidence for the need to change practice across the whole system.

A senior official chaired the launch of the ‘Born into care Wales’ report on 15 October and the report will be presented and discussed at the Family Justice Network on 25 November.  The Network, which includes key judicial and local authority and health representatives, will have the opportunity to respond to the report and identify actions which they and Local Family Justice Boards can take forward to influence practice.

It was clear to me that findings from Born into Care echoed many of the messages received during recent visits by my officials to local authorities to discuss their looked after children reduction expectation plans. The knowledge, insight and learning gained from these visits are enabling effective approaches to be implemented to help reduce the numbers of children in care, including the numbers of newborn babies involved in care proceedings.

In particular, we will be seeking to explore how the Reflect programme could be broadened and capacity further developed to help meet some of the challenges highlighted. The Reflect programme provides emotional and practical support to women who have experienced the compulsory removal of a child to the care system to help prevent further incidences. Reflect is a key work strand in our Improving Outcomes for Children work programme. Following Welsh Government investment, Reflect services are operating in all regions across Wales.

Two weeks ago, I met with Justice Francis, Family Liaison Judge for Wales, about the use of care orders and the step change that is needed to improve the relationship between local authorities and the family courts. Discussions focused on the need for action in respect of effective use of supervision orders and appropriate use of placement with parent care orders at home, around 900 during the past year, as well as the prospect of introducing Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDACs) in Wales.

Below is a table setting out for each of the last three financial years the numbers of children in Wales subject to care orders, family assistance order and adoption placement orders.

As I referred above, my officials visited every local authority in Wales in April and May this year to discuss their plans to reduce the number of looked after children in their care. These were three-hour, detailed conversations that covered each authority’s approach to practice (including prevention and early intervention), performance, data and analysis of entrants to care and exits from care. The impact of care proceedings and local authority relationships with the Judiciary were common themes that emerged from all visits.

I have personally held follow up conversations with Anglesey, Torfaen, Flintshire and Gwynedd local authorities to discuss their plans. A conversation with Wrexham is pending. These discussions were wide ranging and not specifically focussed on the impact of care proceedings on infants but on safely reducing the need for care for all children.