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Working for children, young people and their families in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau and Children in Scotland

Gweithio dros blant, pobl ifanc a’u teuluoedd mewn partneriaeth gyda Biwrô Cenedlaethol y Plant a Clann an Alba

12 June 2015

Dear William Powell AM,

re: Petitions Committee consideration the National Children and Young People’s Participation Standards for Wales (the Standards)

Thank you for your letter of 5 June 2015 regarding the letter from Jack Gillum who is a member of the Powys Youth Forum on the above matter.  It is a pity Powys Youth Forum was unable to be represented in the group considering a refresh of the Standards, but a representative is always welcome at future meetings, the next one is on July 6.  There is also a direct communication channel through to the Children in Wales staff because there are specific named link workers from Children in Wales to each of the Youth Forums in Wales and they have made it clear that any issues of concern a Youth Forum has can be raised directly with them at any time, with a view to creating an open dialogue between Children in Wales and the Youth Forums as well as other groups.  The link worker to the Powys Youth Forum would be pleased to give Jack an update.

Regarding the Standards, work is ongoing following a mapping exercise which identified the fact that there is a greater variety of practice models across Wales than was originally believed. The consequence of this is that work is currently focussed on delivering a simple refresh of ‘the Standards’ (as agreed in a previous meeting), together with updated resources. It also includes developing a model of kite-marking that is appropriate for current use across Wales in light of the changes, in part brought about by staffing issues at local level. Young people representatives who have experience of previous models of kite-marking will be involved with participation workers and Children in Wales staff. 

Training in relation to the Standards is included in many of the Children in Wales courses to a wide variety of disciplines and sectors. The training the trainer events will be designed and delivered alongside the revised resources when ready. Finally resources regarding sharing good practice on participation are accessible via the new ‘Cymru Ifanc’ ‘Young Wales’ website www.cymruifanc.cymru www.youngwales.wales where there is a resources section and forums and other groups are being encouraged to send in their examples.  The design of the website is to enable work from across Wales on participation to be found in one place.  A national good practice sharing event is now being planned for a half term date that is suitable for the Forums.

I can reassure the Committee that Children in Wales is not going to let the children and young people’s participation standards drop off the agenda.

Yours sincerely

Catriona Williams OBE

Chief Executive