Meeting Venue:
Video Conference via Zoom
Meeting date: Monday, 13 December 2021
Meeting time: 09.19 - 13.02
This meeting can
be viewed
on Senedd TV at:
http://senedd.tv/en/12566
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|
Category |
Names |
|
Members of the Senedd: |
Jayne Bryant MS (Chair) James Evans MS Siân Gwenllian MS Laura Anne Jones MS Sioned Williams MS Ken Skates MS Buffy Williams MS |
|
Witnesses: |
Rocio Cifuentes, Preferred Candidate - Childrens' Commissioner for Wales Claire Morgan, Estyn Jassa Scott, Estyn |
|
Committee Staff: |
Naomi Stocks (Clerk) Tom Lewis-White (Second Clerk) Sarah Bartlett (Deputy Clerk) Catherine McKeag (Official) Jennifer Cottle (Legal Adviser) Sian Thomas (Researcher) Michael Dauncey (Researcher) Sarah Hatherley (Researcher) |
1 Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest
1.1 The Chair welcomed Members to the meeting of the Children, Young People and Education Committee.
1.2 In accordance with Standing Order 34.19, the Chair stated that she had determined that the public were excluded from the Committee’s meeting in order to protect public health but that the meeting would be broadcast live on www.senedd.tv
1.3 The Chair noted that Sioned Williams MS would be subbing for Sian Gwenllian MS for items 6 and 7 and Laura Ann Jones MS had sent her apologies for items 6 and 7, there was no substitute.
1.4 Under Standing Order 17.24A James Evans MS declared he was a local councillor and school governor.
2 Scrutiny of Estyn Annual Report 2020 - 2021
2.1 The Committee scrutinised Estyn on its annual report.
2.2 Estyn agreed to provide a note on the numbers of schools that are in the two statutory categories requiring significant improvement and requiring special measures for Estyn monitoring.
2.3 The Committee agreed to write to all local authorities to make them aware of the training that Estyn provides for school governors.
3 Motion under Standing Order 17.42(ix) to resolve to exclude the public from the meeting for items 4, 7, 8 and 9
3.1 The motion was agreed.
4 Scrutiny of Estyn Annual Report 2020 - 2021 - consideration of the evidence
4.1 The Committee considered the evidence it has heard in the previous session.
5 Paper to note
5.1 The paper was noted.
6 Children's Commissioner for Wales pre-appointment hearing
6.1 The Chair noted for this item apologies had been received from Laura Ann Jones MS and Sian Gwenllian MS. Both had been part of the cross-party recruitment panel for the post, and had therefore agreed they should not be present for items relating to the pre-appointment hearing. Sioned Williams MS substituted for Sian.
6.2 The Committee scrutinised the Welsh Government’s preferred candidate.
7 Children's Commissioner for Wales pre-appointment hearing - Committee discussion
7.1 The Committee considered evidence heard in the session with the preferred candidate.
7.2 Due to reporting timescales the Members agreed to consider and agree the report on the pre-appointment hearing electronically. The report would be laid in the New Year.
8 Consideration of the Committee forward work programme
8.1 The Committee considered possible options for its next policy inquiry. Members agreed to conduct an inquiry into Peer to peer sexual harassment in schools. A paper on the approach and terms of reference would be considered at a future meeting.
8.2 The Committee agreed to write to the Welsh Government for updates on Looked after children, specifically the support for children leaving care; and perinatal mental health.
8.3 The Committee agreed to explore undertaking work in the future impact of social media on children and young people.
9 Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill - consideration of the draft report
9.1 The Committee considered changes to the draft report. Due to reporting timescales the Members agreed to consider the final amendments electronically. The final report would be laid by the 16th December.