Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru Y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg Ymchwiliad i Hawliau plant yng Nghymru CRW 12                     Ymateb gan: Clybiau Plant Cymru ___________________________________

National Assembly for Wales Children, Young People and Education Committee Inquiry into Children’s rights in Wales CRW 12         Response from: Kids’ Clubs ___________________________________

Do you think the Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011 has influenced the Welsh Government’s decision making?

Comments

Yes, the Measure has influenced the Welsh Government’s decision making but it has been a slow process, this process may not necessarily have been due to the Welsh Government but other public bodies implementing the principles of the Measure.

Do you think the Welsh Government has fulfilled the Convention’s ‘general measures’ of implementation?

Yes

Do you think the Measure has led to improved outcomes for children and young people?

Comments

Yes, the Measure has led to improved outcomes for children and young people and with the Welsh Government’s ‘Taking Wales Forward’ (2016-2021) those outcomes can only keep on improving. 

Do you think the Welsh Government has embedded its duties within the Measure effectively across Government?

Comments

Yes, however there are times where this is not clear and so the Welsh Government should ensure transparency to clearly show that the Measure has been embedded within its duties.

How well do you think the Welsh Government has sought to make sure that its duties within the Measure are put into practice within local authorities and NHS bodies?

Comments

Through training and raising awareness, it should ensure the duties are put into good practice.

With the introduction of the new ALN Code this should make sure the rights of children and young people are put at the centre of the service provided to those children and young people.

How well do you think the Welsh Government has promoted knowledge and understanding of the UNCRC amongst the public, including children and young people?

Comments

The Welsh Government has promoted knowledge by seeking other parties to reach out but they may need to reach out further to ensure that those that are the most vulnerable and hard to reach are captured.

Child Rights Impact Assessment is used to assess systematically the impact on children of laws, policies or budgetary allocations as measured against the Articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and domestic human rights/child wellbeing frameworks. Do you think the Welsh Government uses this tool in practice and in a meaningful way?

Yes

Do you think the Children’s Rights Scheme is effective and that the Welsh Government evidence enough action to ensure full implementation of the Measure?

Yes

How effectively do you feel the Welsh Government responds to the Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Comments

The Welsh Government has responded well and seems to have taken on board the recommendations of the UN Committee namely:

Creating a Play Friendly Wales

ALN Code

Welsh Youth Parliament

Prosperity for All