Dawn Bowden MS

Minister for Children and Social Care

Welsh Government

5^th Floor

Tŷ Hywel

Cardiff Bay

CF99 1NA

Dyddiad | Date: 04/04/2025
Pwnc | Subject: Inquiry on Hillside Children’s Secure Unit Monitoring and Accessibility

Annwyl Dawn

I’m writing to you in my capacity as Chair of the Children and Families and Children in our Care Cross-Party Groups regarding the monitoring of practice at Hillside Children’s Secure Unit.

Could you kindly outline the monitoring and inspection framework in place for Hillside? Additionally, is Hillside considered solely a Welsh resource, or does it provide placements for children from other parts of the UK? If the latter, I would appreciate any information on the average number of places taken up by children from Wales versus those from elsewhere.

I have copied in Sioned Williams, who represents the constituency where Hillside is based and plays an active role in both cross-party groups. I would also welcome your thoughts on whether visits from Senedd members would be beneficial and, if so, when you last had the opportunity to visit Hillside, given its high profile.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your response.

Yn gywir,

Jane Dodds MS/AS

Member of the Senedd for Mid and West Wales
Aelod o’r Senedd dros Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru

CC: Sioned Williams MS - sioned.williams@senedd.cymru

CC: Buffy Williams MS, Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee - SeneddChildren@senedd.wales