Consultation on the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill
Evidence submitted to the Children, Young People and Education Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill.
Organisation: Policing in Wales
1. The Bill’s general principles
1.1 Do you support the principles of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill?
Yes
1.2 Please outline your reasons for your answer to question 1.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1500 words)
At the meeting of the Policing Partnership Board for Wales on September 17th, chaired by the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, the main theme for discussion was Diversity and Inclusion, with a focus on race. Recent events including the Windrush Review, the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement and events overseas have clearly evidenced the need for action to be taken and an opportunity to be seized. The sets out some clear asks of Welsh Government which clearly play into this consultation, namely:
That there is a ‘One Public Service Approach’ to race equality across all public sector bodies in Wales to be led by a ‘Gold’ Group/Board that Welsh Government leads
That there is more Wales wide promotion of Black History including in the All Wales Community Police Officer School Programme and generally across Education
That there is a Wales wide training package covering race equality, black history, community cohesion and unconscious bias, that all public services can access
That as community cohesion is at the heart of the PCSO role, which is supported financially by Welsh Government, a number of PCSOs undertake additional training on Black and BAME community engagement to equip them as specialists.
That there is a Welsh Government co ordinated Communications campaign to attract more Black and BAME candidates to work in the public sector
It is important that these issues are not lost and are considered by the Committee as part of the consultation
1.3 Do you think there is a need for legislation to deliver what this Bill is trying to achieve?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
As noted above, tackling equality, lack of inclusion and disproportionality is one of the critical challenges facing public bodies in Wales and this Bill is one important means of driving change.
2. The Bill’s implementation
2.1 Do you have any comments about any potential barriers to implementing the Bill? If no, go to question 3.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
No comments.
2.2 Do you think the Bill takes account of these potential barriers?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
No Comments.
3. Unintended consequences
3.1 Do you think there are there any unintended consequences arising from the Bill? If no, go to question 4.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
No Comments.
4. Financial implications
4.1 Do you have any comments on the financial implications of the Bill (as set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum)? If no, go to question 5.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
No comments.
5. Powers to make subordinate legislation
5.1 Do you have any comments on the appropriateness of the powers in the Bill for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation (as set out in Chapter 5 of Part 1 of the Explanatory Memorandum). If no, go to question 6.1.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
No Comments.
6. Other considerations
6.1 Do you have any other points you wish to raise about this Bill?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
No