The focus of the meeting was on ACE’s with presentations from ACE Wales on supporting the ambition for Wales: a trauma-informed nation, and Cwm Taf Youth Offending Service on - Relationship Based Practice Guidance: A trauma and ACE (TrACE) informed approach.

Meeting 2.

Meeting Date: 24^th January 2024

Attendees:

Jane Dodds MS, Senedd Cymru

Sioned Williams MS, Senedd Cymru

Phoebe Jenkins, Senedd Cymru

Sean O’Neill, Children in Wales

Louise O’Neill, Children in Wales

Linda Hawkins, RCT Council

Rhian Smith, Fostering Network

Mark Carter, Barnardo’s Cymru

Amy Bainton, Barnardo's Cymru

Lisa Roberts, RCPCH

Marianne Mannello, Play Wales

Liz Gregory, Parent Infant Foundation

Eleri Griffiths, Office of Nerys Fychan, MS

Catrin Glyn, Carers Trust

Cath Lewis, Guide Dogs Cymru

Cecile Gwilym, NSPCC

Helen Perry, NYAS Cymru

Hannah Williams, Social Care Wales

Samantha Baron

Tina Foster, TGP Cymru

Sian Thomas, Senedd Research

Summary of issues discussed:

The focus of the meeting was to discuss and update on Edge of Care services across Wales. Presenters from last year’s meeting provided an update on services across Wales which aim to ensure that children and kept with their families or extended families to avoid being placed into care (where this is possible and in their best interest).

Discussions around sustainability of funding and focus on early intervention and prevention.

Meeting 3.

Meeting Date: 8^th May 2024 Joint Cross Party Group on Poverty

Attendees:

Jane Dodds MS, Senedd

John Griffiths MS, Senedd

Andrew Bettridge, Senedd Support Staff

Pheobe Jenkins, Senedd Support Staff

Louise O’Neill, Children in Wales

Steffan Evans, Bevan Foundation

Amy Bainton, Barnardos Cymru

Sarah Williamson RCPCH

Dave Goodger, Early Years Wales

Sarah Rees, Oxfam Cymru

Niamh Salkeld, Senedd Support Staff

Sioned Williams MS, Senedd

Cecile Gwilym, NSPCC

Mark Carter, Barnardos Cymru

Caitlin Glyn, Carers Trust

Emma Musgrove, Purple Shoots

Jayne Bryant MS, Senedd

Hannah Williams, Social Care Wales

Dr Dave Williams, ABUHB

Sabiha Azad, Welsh Refugee Council

Amy Dutton, CAB Cymru

Tina Foster, Travelling Ahead

Daljit Kaur Morris, NYAS Cymru

Mary Van Den Heuvel, NEU

Jamie Insole, UCU

Yasmin Zahra, Senedd Support Staff

Elizabeth Bryan, Fostering.net

Manel Tippet, British Psychological Society

Katie Till, Trussell Trust

Professor Samantha Baren, BASW Cymru

Izabelle James, Home-Start Cymru

Bethan Phillips, Mind Cymru

Jayne Drummond, Home-Start Cymru

Gareth Morgan, CEO Ferret Information Systems

Karen McFarlane, Children in Wales

Summary of issues discussed:

Focus of discussions were on child poverty. Presentations were received from Children in Wales on the annual child poverty survey and the Bevan Foundation on what the statistics and figures show about poverty in Wales. Minister for Mental Health and Early Years provided reflections.

Meeting 4.

Meeting Date: 12^th June 2024

Attendees:

Jane Dodds MS (Chair),

Phoebe Jenkins, Jane Dodds Office Manager

Sean O’Neill, Children in Wales

Amy Bainton, Barnardo’s Cymru

Cherrie Bija, Faith in Families

Dajit Kaur Morris, NYAS Cymru

Sarah Williamson, RCPCH Cymru

David Goodger (Early Years Wales

Anna Westall, Children in Wales

Liz Gregory, Paret Infant Foundation

Elizabeth Bryan, Fostering Network

Linda Hawkins, Virtual Schools for CLA RCT

Katie, Safe Families

Manel Tippett, RCP

Mark Carter, Barnardo’s Cymru

Neil Davies, Home for Good

Mark Jones, USW

Leanne Parsell, Buffy Williams MS office

Rhian Smith, Fostering Network

Johanne Robinson, Nat Adv VAWDASV WG

Sioned Williams MS,

Tamsin Covell, Fostering Network

Sian Thomas, Senedd Research

Tina Foster, TGP Cymru

Natasha Smith,

Sarah Witcombe-Hayes, NSPCC Cymru

Summary of issues discussed:

Discussions focused on planning for the Senedd event to be held on 1^st October on the first 1000 days and ACEs. There was an open discussion where members were invited to share ideas in relation to focus, interest in engaging, potential speakers, format and target audience

Meeting 5

Meeting Date: 15^th July 2024

Attendees:

Jane Dodds MS,

Phoebe Jenkins MSS,

Tomos Roberts-Young MSS,

Ieuan Parry MSS,

Helen Mary Jones Voices from Care Cymru,

Sean O’Neil Children in Wales,

Elizabeth Bryan Fostering Network,

Johanna Robinson Welsh Government,

Amy Bainton Barnardo’s Cymru

Rachel Thomas Children’s Commissioner Office,

Sarah Williamson RCPCH,

Ruth Mullineux NSPCC,

Dr Liz Gregory Parent Infant Foundation,

Rachel Beddoe Children in Wales,

Sharon Lovell NYAS,

Joanne Beynon Safe Families,

Daljit Kaur Morris NYAS,

Cath Lewis Guide Dogs Cymru,

Isata Kanneh Access to Justice/Bevan Foundation,

Becky Millar,

David Goodger Early Years Wales,

Katie Jacobs,

Mike Greenaway Play Wales,

Neil Davies Home for Good,

Rhian Croke Chamber Swansea University,

Tamzin Covell The Fostering Network,

Tina Foster TGP Cymru

Summary of issues discussed:

The focus of the meeting explored what a new Children’s Act for Wales could look like. Members shared and discussed their ideas about a new Children’s Act in Wales.

Professional lobbyists, voluntary organisations and charities with whom the Group has met during the preceding year.

The Group has not met with any professional lobbyists during the year. The Group meetings are attended by representatives of several organisations and charities. The details of attendees for each meeting are listed above.

The following organisations were invited to give presentations to the Group:

- ACE Wales

- Cwm Taf Youth Offending Service

- Children in Wales

- Bevan Foundation

- Barnardo’s Cymru

- NYAS Cymru

- Fostering Network

- NSPCC Cymru

Annual Financial Statement

The group has not incurred any costs, benefits, nor services provided such as hospitality.