The Public Accounts Committee undertook an inquiry looking at public services for care experienced children and young people (who are, or have been, ‘looked after’ by a local authority under the Children Act 1989 and Social Services and Well-being Act 2014) within its remit of considering the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which resources are employed in the discharge of public functions in Wales

The Committee identified four areas which are outlined below:

• Expenditure and value for money of public services for care experienced children and young people;
• The effectiveness of local authority corporate parenting arrangements;
• Value for money and the effectiveness of current arrangements for care placements;
• Value for money of the Pupil Development Grant for care experienced children.

The Committee undertook an inquiry into the expenditure and value for money of public services for care experienced children and young people during spring and summer 2018, publishing its report in November 2018. The Welsh Government response was considered by Committee in January 2019. The Committee held an evidence session with the Welsh Government in January 2020 and discussed the progress being made on implementing the Committee’s recommendations. Following that session, the Welsh Government wrote to the Committee on a number of issues.

The Children, Young People & Education Committee have also considered this group of young people in their work, particularly during the annual scrutiny on the Welsh Government’s budget and the Pupil Development Grant.