Decision details

NDM4819 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1.) Notes the on-going challenge in improving outcomes for Looked After Children; and

2.) Recognises the importance of corporate parenting to the improvement of the life chances of looked after children.

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to take urgent action to address findings by the Centre for Social Justice that 'once children are in care the State too often seems to lower their life outcomes, not raise them'.

The findings of the Centre for Social Justice can be found on the following link:

http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/default.asp?pageRef=316

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
24	0	28	52

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 2 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to take urgent action to address failings in the provision of advocacy for looked after children, as outlined in the Children’s Commissioner for Wales 2010/11 Annual Report.

The Children’s Commissioner for Wales 2010/11 Annual Report can be found on the following link:

http://www.childcom.org.uk/en/publications-list

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	28	53

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

Amendment 3 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to explore the feasibility of introducing a National Bursary, requiring local authorities to support looked after children who go into Higher Education.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	28	53

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 4 - Peter Black (South Wales West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Notes with regret that just 1 in 10 children leaving care attains 5 A* to C grade GCSEs.

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	28	53

Amendment 4 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 5 - Peter Black (South Wales West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh government to pay the living costs and full tuition fees for looked after children attending university.

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
5	11	37	53

Amendment 5 was not agreed.

Amendment 6 - Peter Black (South Wales West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to extend duty of care to age 21, regardless of whether or not a child stays in education, in order to improve the life chances of looked after children.

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
16	0	37	53

Amendment 6 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion,:

NDM4819 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1.) Notes the on-going challenge in improving outcomes for Looked After Children; and

2.) Recognises the importance of corporate parenting to the improvement of the life chances of looked after children.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
53	0	0	53

The motion was agreed..