Cross Party Group Details

Cross Party Group Title:

Children and families

Group membership and office holders

Name of Group Chair:

Jane Dodds MS

Names of other Members of the Senedd:

Heledd Fychan MS

Mike Hedges MS

Mark Isherwood MS

Sioned Williams MS

Name of Secretary and Organisation:

Rachel Beddoe – Children in Wales

Names of other external members and organisations represented:

Hugh Russell – Children in Wales

Sean O’Neill – Children in Wales

Cecile Gwilym – NSPCC

Tracey Holdsworth – NSPCC

Mike Greenaway – Play Wales

Andrea Gordan – Guide Dogs

Lisa Roberts – RCPCH

Suzanne Griffths – Adopt Cymru

Jayne Drummond – Home Start Cymru

Dave Williams – NHS

Amy Bainton – Barnardos

Mark Carter – Barnardos

Narinder Sidhu - BASW

Elizabeth Bryan – Fostering.net

Sarah Thomas – Fostering.net

Rhiannon Beaumont-Walker – TPG Cymru

Oliver John – RCPSYCH

Sarah Durrant - TPG Cymru

Cath Lewis – Guide Dogs

Sian Thomas – Assembly Wales

Naomi Stocks – Senedd Wales

Tom Lewis – Senedd Wales

Samantha Baron – BASW

Clare Williams – Diabetes UK

Liz Gregory– Parent Infant Foundation

Becky Saunders – EIF

Jessica – WEN Wales

Cherrie Bija – Faith in Families

Katie Palmer – NHS

Hannah Williams – Social Care Wales

Cathryn Thomas – Social Care Wales

Catrin Glyn – Carers

Rhian Smith – Fostering.net

Sarah Whitcombe-Hayes – NSPCC

Johanna Robinson – Welsh Government

Yasmin Khna – Welsh Government

Euan Hails – NHS

Higher Plain Research Education

Neil Davies – Home For Good

Mike Clark – TPG Cymru

Kieran – News Direct Wales

Heulwen – 21cc

Sarah Willaimson – RCPCH

Tina Foster – TPG Cymru

Sioned Williams – Senedd Wales

Becy Millar – CFF

Linda Hawkins – RCTCBC

Gail Gibbons – Youth Endowment Fund

Caroline Walters – RCSLT

Manel Tippett – BPS

Rhian Crooke – Swansea University

Katie Salisbury – Safe Families

Joanne Beynon – Safe Families

Colette Smethurst – Safe Families

Janine Bennett – Llamau

Keira Stanton – Llamau

Davina Carey-Evans – Family Fund

Tammi Owen – Cube Centre

Dafydd Huw – RCPSYC

Rebekah Burns – Adoption UK

Leo Holmes –Early Years Wales

Katie Jacobs – Social Care Wales

Catherine Rees – Save the Children

Sophie Carter – Justice innovation

Liam Mahedy – Public Health Wales

Kerrie Gemmill – Scouts Cymru

Ash Lister – Action for Children

 

Other meetings of the Group since the last AGM

Date of Meeting:

12^th November 2024

Attendees:

Jane Dodds - MS; Helen Mary Jones - Voices from Care Cymru; Tomos Roberts-Young - MSS Jane Dodds - MS; Ieuan Pary - MSS Jane Dodds - MS; Amy Bainton - Barnardo’s Cymru; Mark Carter - Barnardo’s Cymru; Johanna Robinson - ECWL - Communities & Tackling Poverty - Cohesive Communities Division; Sarah Williamson - RCPCH; Sarah Thomas - Fostering Network; Rhian Croke – Swansea University, Children’s Legal Centre Wales; Sean O’Neil - Children in Wales; Rachel Beddoe-  Children in Wales; Tamzin Covell - Fostering Network; Mike Greenaway - Play Wales; Rhiannon Beaumont Walkes - TGP Cymru; Helen Perry - NYAS; Sharon Lovell - NYAS; Catrin Glyn - Carers Trust Wales; Cath Lewis - Guide Dogs Cymru; Katie Jacobs - Social Care Wales

Summary of the issues discussed:

Joint Cross-Party meeting with Children in our Care to discuss initial ideas on what both groups would consider to be essential legislation and/or guidance to create a new Children’s Act for Wales.

Both groups will work on this together to be able to present ideas to all political parties ahead of the 2026 election.

Date of Meeting:

20^th November 2024

Attendees:

Jane Dodds – MS; Phoebe Jenkins – MSS; Sean O’Neill – Children in Wales; Rocio Cifuentes – Children’s Commissioner; Leo Holmes – Early Years Wales; Helen Perry – NYAS Cymru; Rhiannon Beaumont-Walker – TGP Cymru; Rachel Beddoe – Children in Wales; Caroline Walters – RCSLT; Nadia Lovell - NYAS Cymru; Sarah Williamson – RCPCH Cymru; Davina Carey-Evans – Family Fund; Cherrie Bija – Faith in Families; Daljit Kaur Morris – NYAS Cymru; Sarah Witcombe-Hayes – NSPCC Cymru; Amy Bainton – Barnardos Cymru; Christian Beech – BASW; Dr Liz Gregory – Parent Infant Foundation; Sian Thomas, Senedd Research; Tammi Owen – CUBE; Manel Tippet – BPS; Rhian Smith – Fostering.net; Mike Greenaway - Play Wales; Rhian Croke - Children’s Legal Centre; Euan Hails - Aneurin Health Board; Cath Lewis - Guide Dogs Cymru; Ash Lister – Action for Children

Summary of the issues discussed:

The focus of discussion centred around the ACEs/First 1000 days event held in the Senedd on the 1^st October.

The Children’s Commissioner attended the meeting to present on their annual report and provide an update on their work.

The AGM was held and the Annual Report for 2023-2024 was presented to members. 

Date of Meeting:

22^nd January 2025

Attendees:

Jane Dodds - MS; Helen Mary Jones- Voices from Care Cymru; Sioned Williams - MS; Tomos Roberts-Young – MSS; Rhiannon Beaumont-Walker – TGP Cymru; Cath Lewis – Guide Dogs Cymru; Leo Holmes – Early Years Wales; Amy Bainton – Barnardo’s Cymru; Daljit Kaur-Morris – NYAS; Suzanne Griffiths – Adoption UK; Mark Carter – Barnardo’s’ Cymru; Elizabeth Bryan – Fostering Network UK; Samantha Baron – BASWSO; Cherrie Bija – Faith in Families; Neil Davies – Home for Good; Katie Jacobs – Social Care Wales; Tamzin Covell – Forstering.net; Sarah Whitcombe-Hayes – NSPCC; Rachel Beddoe – Children in Wales; Manel Tippett – British Psychological Society; Davina Carey-Evans - Family Fund; Rachel Thomas – Children’s commissioner’s Office; Rhian Croke – Swansea University; Sharon Lovell – NYAS Cymru; Sarah Williamson - RCPH; Sophie Carter

Summary of the issues discussed:

Joint cross-party group with Children in our Care.  Working on the proposals for a New Children’s Act for Wales.

 

Date of Meeting:

25^th March 2025

Attendees:

Ro

Summary of the issues discussed:

Joint cross-party group with Children in our Care.  Working on the proposals for a New Children’s Act for Wales.

 

Date of Meeting:

30^th April 2025

Attendees:

Jane Dodds - MS;  Helen Mary Jones - Voices from Care;  Sean O’Neil - Children in Wales; Tomos Roberts-Young – MSS; Phoebe Jenkins – MSS; Mark Carter – Barnardos;  Leo Holmes- Early Years Wales;  Sharon Lovell – NYAS; Mike Greenaway - Play Wales; Cherri Bija - Faith in Families; Suzanne Griffiths - Adopt Cymru;  Rhiannon Beaumont - TGP Cymru; Sophie Carter - Justice Innovation; Tammi Owen – CUBE; Leo Holmes - Early Years Wales; Cath Lewis - Guide Dogs; Ash Lister - Action for Children; Davina Carey-Evans - Family Fund; Kerrie Gemmel – Scouts; Catherine Rees - Save the Children Wales,

Summary of the issues discussed:

Joint cross-party group with Children in our Care.  Members came together to finalise proposals for a New Children’s Act for Wales.

Date of Meeting:

4^th June 2025

Attendees:

Mark Isherwood- MS; Helen Mary Jones – Voices from Care; Sean O’Neil – Children in Wales; Elizabeth Byran – Fostering Network; Sian Thomas – Senedd Research; Mike Hedges – MS; Buffy Williams – MS; Sioned Willams – MS; Joel Jones – MS; Andrew Bettridge – MS; Tammi Owen – CUBE; Sharon Lovell – NYAS; Cath Lewis – Guide Dogs; Laura Jones – MS; Mike Greenaway – Play Wales; Hugh Russell – Children in Wales; Linda Hawkins – Virtual Headteacher; Katie Jacobs – Social Care Wales; Rhiannon Beaumont- Walker – TGP Cymru; Rhiannon Passmore – MS;  Nadia Lovell – NYAS; Sarah Williamson – RCPH; Kerrie Gemmill – Scouts; Sarah  Thomas – Fostering Wales; Joanna Robinson – Welsh Government; Ash Lister – Action For Children; Rhian Croke – Swansea University; Rachel Thomas – Children’s Commissioner’s Office; Mark Carter – Barnardos; Isata Kanneh – Bevan Foundation; Ruth Bowden – Nyas; Neil Davies – Home for Good; Eurgain Haf – Save the Children; Elinor Mattey – Bevan Foundation; David Godger – Early Years Wales; Cherrie Bija – Faith in Families; Cecile Gwilym – NSPCC; Katie Jacobs – Ty Hafan

Summary of the issues discussed:

Members of the Cross-Party Groups (CPGs) on Children and Families and Children in Our Care gathered at the Senedd to the launch Bil Pob Plentyn. There was a discussion on the scope and limitations of the proposed legislation. Jane Dood, MS, confirmed her intention to present the proposal at the Welsh Liberal Democrats’ conference, seeking a commitment to include it in the party’s 2026 Senedd Election manifesto. Sioned Williams MS echoed this commitment, stating she would bring the proposal to Plaid Cymru with the aim of securing its inclusion in their 2026 manifesto. Lived experience and expert insights were received from Brendan Roberts, speaking from personal experience as a care-experienced person.  Helen Mary Jones provided expert commentary, addressing technical questions and offering insight into the legislative framework.

Date of Meeting:

9^th July 2025

Attendees:

Jane Dodds - MS; Phoebe Jenkins - MS Support Staff; Rachel Beddoe – Children in Wales; Sean O’Neill – Children in Wales; Sharon Lovell – NYAS; Ash Lister – Action for Children; Steve Crane-Jenkins – BASW; Nadia Lovell – NYAS; Amy Bainton – Barnardos Cymru; Suzanne Griffiths – Foster Wales; Tammi Owen – The Cube Centre; Leo Holmes – Early Years Wales; Euan Hails – ABUHB; Eurgain Haf – Save the Children; Cherrie Bija – Faith in Families; Kerrie Gemmill – Scouts Cymru; Elizabeth Bryan – Fostering.net; Cecile Gwilym – NSPCC; Zuzanna Gwordz – NSPCC; Helen Mary Jones – Voices for Care; Hugh Russell – Children in Wales; Rhian Croke – Swansea University; Davina Carey-Evans – Family Fund; Darren Griffiths – RCPCH; Catherine Rees – Save the Children; Tamzin Covell – Fostering Network

Summary of the issues discussed:

Joint cross-party group with Children in our Care.  Reflections on the launch event of Bil Pob Plentyn on 4^th June 2025. 

Date of Meeting:

08^th October 2025

Attendees:

Jane Dodds MS; Tomos Roberts-Young – MSS Jane Dodds MS; Rachel Beddoe, Children in Wales; Christine Gentry, Law Commission; Lisa Webley, Commissioner Professor Law Commission; Akola Munyiri, Law Commission; Sioned Williams, MS; Mark Isherwood MS; Ryland Doyle, MSS Mike Hedges MS; Sarah Taylor, MSS John Griffiths MS; Elizabeth Bryan, Fostering Network; Charlotte Maddox, Fostering Network; Elly Jones, NYAS; Cherri Bija, Faith in Families; Euan Hails, Aneurin Bevan Health Board; Helen Mary Jones, Voices from Care Cymru; Cllr Ash Lister, Action for Children; Manel Tippett, British Psychological Society; Melanie Thomas-Wilcox, TGP Cymru; Samantha Frith-Jones, AFKA Cymru; Sandie Bailey, Kinship Care; Sean O’Neil, Children in Wales; Singeta Kalhan-Gregory, BASW; Cath Lewis, Guide Dogs Cymru; Davinna Carey-Evans, Family Fund; Suzanne Griffiths, National Adoption Service ; Mark Carter, Barnardos

Summary of the issues discussed:

Joint Cross-Party Group Meeting, hearing from the Law Commission Project on Kinship Care followed by a question and answer session between members of the CPG and the Law Commission.

 

 

Date of Meeting:

12^th November 2025

Attendees:

Jane Dodds MS – Chair; Ieuan Parry MSS; Rachel Beddoe Children in Wales; Katie Jacobs, Social Care Wales; Tammi Owen Cube Centre; Davina Carey-Evans Family Fund;  Darren Griffiths RCPCH; Pippa Cotterill RCSLT; Liz Gregory Parent Infant Foundation; Dave Williams  NHS; Mark Carter Barnardos; Rhiannon Beaumont-Walker TPG Cymru; Cecile Gwilym NSPCC;  Johanna Robinson Welsh Government; Kerrie Gemmill Scouts Cymru; Kirsty Rees Senedd; Jasmine Harris Barnardos

Summary of the issues discussed:

Updates since the last meeting, proposals for the following year and the AGM. Jane Dodds MS was appointed Chair, Children in Wales were appointed as the Secretariat for the group.

 

 

Professional lobbyists, voluntary organisations and charities the Group have met during the previous year.

Name of Organisation:

Law Commission

Name of Group:

Kinship Care Project from the Law Commission

Name of Organisation:

Click or tap here to enter text.

Name of Group:

Click or tap here to enter text.

 

Annual Financial Statement

Cross Party Group Title:

Children and Families

Date:

12/11/25

Name of Chair:

Jane Dodds MS

Name of Secretary and Organisation: f

Rachel Beddoe, Children in Wales

Title	Description	Amount
Group’s Expenses	Various financial donations from members within the group towards the cost of the launch of Bil Pob Plentyn on 4th June, shared with	Total cost = £755.94
Costs of all goods	Costs were spent on artwork and printing for the leaflet, a banner for the day, translation services and catering	Donations were as follows: Children in Wales – £240 (artwork) The Fostering Network –£40 (printing) Early Years Wales - £51.84 (banner) Voices from Care Cymru £220 (translation services) Play Wales – £40 (printing) TGP Cymru - £114.11 (catering) Cath Lewis personal donation, Guide Dogs Cymru - £51.49 (catering)
Benefits received by the group or individuals members from external bodies	Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap here to enter text.
Any financial support or other support.	Listed above	Listed above
Total		£593.34

Services provided to the Group, such as hospitality.

All hospitality paid for by donations recievevd.

Date	Name and description of provider	Costs
4.06.25	ESS Compass, Cardiff Bay Catering	£164.10
Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap here to enter text.	Costs were divided into two payments: Cath Lewis, personal, £51.49 (catering) TGP Cymru , £114.11 (catering)
Total		£165.60