Agenda and minutes

1.1 Apologies were received from Kirsty Williams AM.  Aled Roberts AM substituted.

Leighton Andrews, Minister for Education and Skills

Jeff Cuthbert, Deputy Minister for Skills

Emyr Roberts, Director General, Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills

Chris Tweedale, Director, Children, Young People and Schools Effectiveness Group

2.1 The Chair welcomed Leighton Andrews AM, Minister for Education and Skills, and Jeff Cuthbert AM, Deputy Minister for Skills to the meeting.

2.2 The Ministers answered questions from Members on their respective portfolios and priorities.

Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services

Rob Pickford, Director of Social Services Wales

Martin Swain, Lead for Children and Families Partnership Working

3.1 The Chair welcomed Gwenda Thomas AM, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services.

3.2 The Minister answered questions from Members on her portfolio and priorities.

3.3 The Minister agreed to provide the Committee with the following information:

·         The number of cases currently being handled by CAFCASS;

·         The implications that changes to legal aid might have in relation to child protection issues;

·         The number of court cases being referred by local authorities.

4.1 The Committee agreed to exclude the public for the remainder of the meeting, in accordance with Standing Order 17.42(ix), to discuss matters relating to possible future inquiries.

5.1 The Committee agreed to undertake a short inquiry into children’s oral health.

5.2 A consultation exercise would be carried out over the summer and the Committee would begin taking evidence in the autumn.

View the meeting transcript.