Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru | National Assembly for Wales

Y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg | Children, Young People and Education Committee

Blaenoriaethau ar gyfer y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg |
Priorities for the Children, Young People and Education Committee

CYPE 26

Ymateb gan : Bwrdd lechyd Prifysgol Hywel Dda

Response from : Hywel Dda University Health Board

Question 1 – Within the remit set out above: what do you consider to be the priorities or issues that the Children, Young People and Education Committee should consider during the Fifth Assembly?

Schools have a role and responsibility to proactively support the identification of wider wellbeing needs of learners in order to mobilise multi-agency support at the earliest possible opportunity.  This is crucial to addressing the escalation of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) which themselves impact on educational attainment and future economic, social, health and wellbeing outcomes.  Existing pastoral systems should be reviewed and strengthened and emphasis placed on the responsibility of schools and their staff to have a role in ensuring that children and young people access holistic support that will promote improvements, in all aspects of their life, and not just focus on educational attainment.  Schools are in a prime position to identify causes of concern or adverse experiences for children and young people but not all schools are as proactive as they could be about acting on these, especially when they may not be immediate safeguarding/child protection concerns.

In addition the Committee could consider/explore how outcomes for young carers and other those in other priority/vulnerable groups are being supported holistically to improve wellbeing outcomes. 

Question 2 – From the list of priorities or issues you have identified, what do you consider to be the key areas that should be considered during the next 12 months (please identify up to three areas or issues)?  Please outline why these should be considered as key priorities.

The effectiveness of school pastoral systems and the extent to which they play a proactive role they in Team around the Family and identifying holistic needs and signposting for support at the earliest opportunity.