Wales ‘has framework in place to help its most vulnerable children’

Wales now has a framework in place to help its most vulnerable children, Deputy Minister for Social Services and Children Gwenda Thomas says.

In a speech on child neglect at the Vale of Glamorgan National Eisteddfod as a guest of charity group Action for Children, Ms Thomas said: “The main reason for children being taken into care in Wales is neglect and the Welsh Government is taking action to mitigate the incidence of neglect and to ensure that there is a framework of services to support parents and families.

“We have a number of early intervention programmes such as Flying Start, Families First and Integrated Family Support Services which can make a direct impact on child poverty, help reduce the incidence of neglect and play a key preventative role in supporting families and reducing the numbers of children who enter care.

“I also greatly value the role that foster carers play in caring for looked-after children in Wales. “They are vital in enhancing and supporting the well-being of some of our most vulnerable young people in Wales and I’m committed to supporting them and the valuable service they provide.”

Action for Children are this week showcasing the charity’s vital work in supporting and speaking out for the most vulnerable and neglected children and young people, for as long as it takes to make a difference in their lives.

Barbara Street, acting strategic director of children’s services at Action for Children in Wales, said: “Action for Children works with the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and their families affected by issues including poverty, neglect, abuse, disability, family problems and homelessness.

“Neglect is widespread and still goes unnoticed – there are currently 62,000 neglected children in Wales which is unthinkable but that is the scale of the problem.”