More to be done to ensure vulnerable young people are properly represented, says Assembly committee
23 September 2010
The Welsh Government is taking too long to implement its strategy for children’s advocacy services in Wales, according to a report published today (23 September) by the National Assembly’s Children and Young People Committee.
The report from the cross-party group of AMs states that despite the Welsh Government announcing a new framework for the services in 2008, its rollout has been slow and inconsistent.
A key concern of the committee is that there is currently no independent advocacy service available for young people to access when they need their voices to be heard.
Today’s report follows two previous inquiries carried out by the committee into advocacy services in Wales, both of which set out recommendations to aid the development of a progressive strategy.
However, evidence received by the committee for this inquiry demonstrated that little has changed over the past two years and that a sense of urgency is needed to progress.
“Ten years on from the Waterhouse Report (see notes to editors), it is imperative that we do all that we can to ensure that the most vulnerable children in our society are able to speak up about matters that affect them,” said Committee Chair, Helen Mary Jones AM.
“Given that this committee has reported twice on this issue and it’s now more than two years on from our original inquiry, it’s disappointing to hear evidence that a universal, independent advocacy service for children and young people is still not a reality in Wales.
“Advocacy is essential to the most vulnerable people in our society. An advocate can help a child in immeasurable ways when they find themselves in difficult and life-changing situations. Delivered well, advocacy services can empower children and young people to speak for themselves.
“As a Committee, we cannot tell the Welsh Government how to prioritise its budget, but we would urge Ministers to take a broad, long-term view of the importance of advocacy services in Wales”.
Other recommendations of the report are:
-The Committee recommends that the Welsh Government publishes its statutory guidance without further delay.
-The Committee recommends that while advocacy services may be prioritised for vulnerable children and young people in a tight financial climate, universal provision should not be lost.
- The Committee recommends that the Welsh Government ensures that social services make sure children and young people in its care know about their rights to advocacy.
- The Committee recommends that service-mapping of advocacy provision in Wales is carried out. The Committee considers that the National Independent Advocacy Board is best placed to provide and maintain such an overview.
-The Committee recommends that any inspection of advocacy services takes a broad look at the outcomes of the service and the long-term relationship that advocates have developed with service users. In doing this, inspections should take as a starting point the views and experiences of children and young people. Inspections should be led by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales, who should work closely with Estyn and the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales.
The Waterhouse Report
The Waterhouse Report was a report into the wide-scale abuse that took place in residential homes in Wales. It was released in February 2000 and spoke of systematic abuse, a climate of violence and a culture of secrecy that existed for more than two decades. It made recommendations - such as the appointment of a children's commissioner, and protection for whistleblowers.