Inquiry into the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on children and young people in Wales

Inquiry into the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on children and young people in Wales

Inquiry5

 

The Children, Young People and Education Committee explored how the outbreak of Covid-19 has affected all aspects of life for children and young people in Wales. including students in further and higher education. The inquiry ran from the beginning of the pandemic (March 2020) until the end of the Fifth Senedd (April 2021).

 

Terms of Reference

The Committee considered the impact of the outbreak and how it was being managed on children and young people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing, their education and their social care. How the Welsh Government and its associated public bodies were dealing with the situation and its impact on relevant sectors and professions were also be considered.

 

Outputs

To enable timely scrutiny and regular engagement with the Welsh Government, the Committee engaged in regular correspondence with Welsh Ministers. This correspondence continued throughout the pandemic – details are provided below, under the heading “Documents”.

 

The Committee published an interim report (PDF 1.52MB) on 8 July 2020. The Committee’s interim report was debated in Plenary on 15 July 2020, and the Welsh Government’s response provided orally in that debate.

 

On 24 March 2021, the Committee published its final report (PDF 211KB) on the impact of COVID-19 on children and young people.

 

On 12 July 2021 the Committee received a response (PDF 891KB) from the Welsh Government. This was referred to the Sixth Senedd Children, Young People and Education Committee.

 

Evidence gathering

The Committee gathered evidence to inform its work in a number of ways:

·         Consultation responses

·         Public engagement activity (PDF 79KB)

·         Oral evidence:

 

Evidence session

Date, Agenda and Minutes

Transcript

Video

1. Welsh Government

Kirsty Williams AM, Minister for Education

Steve Davies, Director, Education Directorate

Huw Morris, Group Director, Skills, Higher Education and Lifelong Learning

Rob Orford, Chief Scientific Adviser for Health

19 March 2020

 

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Watch on Senedd.tv

 

2. Welsh Government

Kirsty Williams AM, Minister for Education

Steve Davies, Director, Education Directorate

Huw Morris, Group Director, Skills, Higher Education and Lifelong Learning

28 April 2020

 

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.tv

 

3. Welsh Government

Vaughan Gething AM, Minister for Health and Social Services 

Julie Morgan AM, Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services

Albert Heaney, Deputy Director General, Health and Social Services Group

Nicola Edwards, Deputy Director, Childcare, Play and Early Years

Jean White, Chief Nursing Officer

Tracey Breheny, Deputy Director of Mental Health, Substance Misuse & Vulnerable Groups

5 May 2020

 

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.tv

 

4. Vulnerable children

Allison Hulme, National Director - BASW Cymru

Sarah Crawley, Director – Barnardos Cymru

Vivienne Laing, Policy and Public Affairs Manager – NSPCC Cymru

Louise Israel, Childline Senior Supervisor – NSPCC Cymru

18 May 2020

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

5. Vulnerable children

Marian Parry Hughes, Head of the All Wales Heads of Children’s Services

Sally Jenkins, Head of Children and Family Services – Newport City Council

Craig McLeod, Senior Manager Children and Workforce – Flintshire County Council

Jan Coles, Head of Children's Services - Powys County Council

Jane Randell, Chair – National Independent Safeguarding Board

18 May 2020

Read transcript

Watch on Senedd.TV

6. Physical and mental health of children and young people

Dr David Tuthill, Officer for Wales - Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Lisa Turnbull, Policy & Public Affairs Adviser - Royal College of Nursing

Dr Mair Hopkin, Royal College of General Practitioners

09 June 2020

Read transcript

Watch on Senedd.TV

7. Physical and mental health of children and young people

Simon Jones, Head of Policy & Influencing – Mind Cymru

Kate Heneghan, Head in Wales - Papyrus

Sarah Stone, Executive Director for Wales – Samaritans Cymru

Stephanie Hoffman, Head of Social Action – Meic Cymru

09 June 2020

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

 

8. Physical and mental health of children and young people

Dr Kristy Fenton, Consultant child & adolescent psychiatrist at Hywel Dda University Health Board and Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Wales' Faculty of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Dr Liz Gregory, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and representing Applied Psychologists in Health National Specialist Advisory Group

Dr Bethan Phillips, Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Co-Chair of Division Clinical Psychology in Wales

09 June 2020

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

 

9. Higher and Further education sector

Professor Medwin Hughes, Vice-Chancellor - University of Wales Trinity Saint David and of the University of Wales

Kieron Rees, Head of External Affairs and Policy - Universities Wales

Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Vice-Chancellor - Aberystwyth University

Professor Paul Boyle, Vice-Chancellor – Swansea University

Dr David Blaney, Chief Executive – HEFCW

23 June 2020

 

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Watch on Senedd.TV

10. Higher and Further education sector

Dr Rachel Bowen, Director of Policy and Public Affairs - ColegauCymru/CollegesWales

Dr Andrew Cornish, Principal and Chief Executive - Coleg Sir Gar and Coleg Ceredigion

Philip Blaker, Chief Executive – Qualifications Wales

Denver Davies, Head of Monitoring and Compliance – Qualifications Wales

23 June 2020

 

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Watch on Senedd.TV

11. Higher and Further education sector

Joe Atkinson, Press and Public Affairs Consultant – NUS Wales

Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor – WONKHE

Dr Myfanwy Davies, Council Governor appointed by Academic Staff - Bangor University

Dan Beard, UNISON Higher Education executive member and chair of UNISON Cymru Wales

23 June 2020

 

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Watch on Senedd.TV

12. Welsh Government

Kirsty Williams AM, Minister for Education

Steve Davies, Director, Education Directorate

Huw Morris, Group Director, Skills, Higher Education and Lifelong Learning

7 July 2020

Read transcript

         

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

13. Race Council Cymru

Angel Ezeadum, Welsh Youth Parliament Member

Ali Abdi, Lead Coordinator for National BAME Youth Forum and representing Race Council Cymru

7 July 2020

Read transcript

         

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

14. Exams

Ian Morgan, Chief Executive

Elaine Carlile, Director of Qualifications, Assessment and Responsible Officer

18 August 2020

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

15. Exams

David Jones, Chair

Philip Blaker, Chief Executive

Jo Richards, Regulation Director

 

18 August 2020

Read transcript

         

Watch on Senedd.TV

16. Welsh Government

Kirsty Williams MS, Minister for Education

Georgina Haarhoff, Deputy Director Curriculum

Sinead Gallagher, Deputy Director of Higher Education

18 August 2020

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

17. Children and young people

Sally Holland, Children’s Commissioner for Wales

Rachel Thomas, Head of Policy and Public Affairs – Office of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales

5 November 2020

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

18. Remote teaching and learning, and exams and assessments

David Jones, Chair – Qualifications Wales

Philip Blaker, Chief Executive - Qualifications Wales

Jo Richards, Regulation Director - Qualifications Wales

Ian Morgan, Chief Executive – WJEC

Elaine Carlile, Director of Qualifications, Assessment and Responsible Officer – WJEC

12 November 2020

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

19. Remote teaching and learning, and exams and assessments

Louise Casella, Chair of the independent review of the summer 2020 arrangements to award grades, and considerations for summer 2021

12 November 2020

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

20. Remote teaching and learning, and exams and assessments

Guy Lacey, CEO/Principal at Coleg Gwent and Vice Chair of ColegauCymru

Kay Martin, Principal at Cardiff and Vale College and Chair of the ColegauCymru Curriculum and Quality Group

Meinir Ebbsworth, Chief Education Officer / Corporate Lead Officer, Schools and Culture, Ceredigion Council and representing Association of Directors of Education

Mike Tate,  Assistant Director of Education and Lifelong Learning - Cardiff Council and representing Association of Directors of Education

Cllr Ian Roberts, Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for Education -  Flintshire County Council and Education Spokesperson for Welsh Local Government Association

Arwyn Thomas, Managing Director – GwE Education Consortia and representing all the Regional Education Consortia

12 November 2020

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

21. Higher education and staff & student well- being

Joe Atkinson, Press and Public Affairs Consultant – NUS Wales

Becky Ricketts, President - NUS Wales

Jamie Insole, Wales Policy Officer – University and College Union (UCU)

Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor – WONKHE

19 November 2020

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

22. Welsh Government

Kirsty Williams MS, Minister for Education

Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and Welsh Language

Steve Davies, Director, Education Directorate

Huw Morris, Group Director, Skills, Higher Education and Lifelong Learning

Tracey Breheny, Deputy Director of Mental Health, Substance Misuse & Vulnerable Groups

26 November 2020

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

23. Trade unions

Eithne Hughes, Director - Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru

Laura Doel, Director – National Association of Headteachers Cymru (NAHT)

Rebecca Williams, Deputy General Secretary and Policy Officer - Undeb Cenedlaethol Athrawon Cymru (UCAC)

Mary van den Heuvel, Wales Senior Policy Officer - National Education Union

Neil Butler, National Official Wales – NASUWT     

Rosie Lewis, Regional Organiser, Cymru Wales schools lead - UNISON

Nicola Savage, GMB Regional Organiser Wales and South West Region

14 January 2021

Read transcript

Watch on Senedd.TV

24. Estyn

Meilyr Rowlands, HM Chief Inspector

Claire Morgan, Strategic Director

Jassa Scott, Strategic Director

14 January 2021

Read transcript

Watch on Senedd.TV

25. Welsh Government

Kirsty Williams MS, Minister for Education

Huw Morris, Group Director Skills, Higher Education and Lifelong Learning

Steve Davies, Director Education Directorate

21 January 2021

Read transcript

Watch on Senedd.TV

26. Children and young people

Sally Holland, Children’s Commissioner for Wales

Rachel Thomas, Head of Policy and Public Affairs – Office of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales

28 January  2021

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

 

27. Welsh Local Government Association

Cllr Ian Roberts, Leader of Flintshire County Council and Education Spokesperson

Cllr Ellen Ap Gwynn, Leader of Ceredigion County Council and Deputy Education Spokesperson and Welsh Language

Cllr Philippa Marsden, Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council and Workforce Spokesperson

Cllr Huw David, Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council and Health and Social Care Spokesperson

Sharon Davies, Head of Education

28 January  2021

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

 

28. Statutory education

Luke Sibieta, Research Fellow at the Institute for Fiscal Studies and Education Policy Institute

Professor Chris Taylor, Professor of Education and Academic Director of the Social Science Research Park (SPARK) - Cardiff University

25 February 2021

           

 

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

29. Statutory education

Gareth Evans, Director of Education Policy, University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Professor Dylan Jones, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Institute of Education, University Wales Trinity St David

25 February 2021

           

 

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

30. Mental and physical health

Professor Ann John, Professor of Public Health and Psychiatry at Swansea University Medical School and Chair of the National Advisory Group to Welsh Government on the prevention of suicide and self-harm.

Professor Alka Ahuja, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist & National Clinical Lead, TEC (Technology Enabled Care) Cymru and Public Engagement Lead, Royal College of Psychiatrists Wales

Professor Adrian Edwards, Professor of General Practice at Cardiff University, Director of the new Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre, Director of PRIME Centre Wales (all-Wales centre for primary and emergency care research) and part time GP

Dr David Tuthill, Consultant Paediatrician and Officer for Wales at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

4 March 2021

           

 

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

31. Higher education

Dr Ben Calvert, Chair of Universities Wales Learning & Teaching Network and Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of South Wales

Amanda Wilkinson, Director of Universities Wales

Kieron Rees, Head of Policy and External Affairs, Universities Wales

Dr David Blaney, Chief Executive, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

Bethan Owen, Deputy Chief Executive, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

11 March 2021

           

 

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Watch on Senedd.TV

32. Further Education

Philip Blaker, Chief Executive, Qualifications Wales

Denver Davies, Head of Monitoring and Compliance, Qualifications Wales

Yana Williams, Chief Executive, Coleg Cambria

Barry Walters, Principal of Pembrokeshire College

Karen Phillips, Principal of Coleg y Cymoedd

11 March 2021

           

 

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33. Vulnerable children

Sarah Crawley, Director of Children’s Services - Barnardo’s Cymru

Brigitte Gater, National Director Wales - Action for Children

Cecile Gwilym, Policy & Public Affairs Manager - NSPCC 

18 March 2021

           

 

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Watch on Senedd.TV

34. Vulnerable children

Deborah Jones, Chief Executive Officer - Voices from Care

Emma Phipps-Magill, Well-being Manager - Voices from Care

Sharon Lovell, Chief Executive Officer – National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) Cymru

Ben Twomey, Director of Policy and Research - National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) Cymru

Jackie Murphy, Chief Executive Officer - Tros Gynnal Plant (TGP) Cymru

18 March 2021

           

 

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Watch on Senedd.TV

35. Vulnerable children

Sally Jenkins, Head of Children and Family Services – Newport City Council

Jan Coles, Head of Children’s Services - Powys County Council

Nicola Stubbins, President of the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS) Cymru

Jonathan Griffiths, Director of Social Services and Housing - Pembrokeshire County Council

18 March 2021

           

 

Read transcript

 

Watch on Senedd.TV

 

Business type: Committee Inquiry

Reason considered: Senedd Business;

Status: Inquiry in progress

First published: 30/04/2020

Decision due: 23 Jun 2020 by Children, Young People and Education Committee - Fifth Senedd

Documents

Consultations