SAM ROWLANDS MS for Fflint Wrecsam has backed a call to improve local authority and its partner agencies to safeguard and promote the well-being of looked-after children.
Mr Rowlands, Welsh Conservative spokesperson for Families, was speaking in a member’s debate on corporate parenting in the Senedd.
He said: “I had the privilege of serving on a fostering panel for nearly 10 years in a previous role, and it gives you a real insight as to the importance of the work that takes place in local authorities currently.
“Corporate parenting, at its best, is about the state acting, when required, as a responsible parent should, with consistency, care, attention, love, compassion and a genuine focus on that child’s long-term future.
“I absolutely support the principle that every part of the public sector should play its part in improving outcomes for looked-after children and care leavers. I think it’s the very least that people would expect.
“We know public services are stretched at the moment, and it’s essential that any new duties are backed by resources, workforce capacity and clear guidance to make it meaningful in practice as well.
“We cannot simply place new statutory responsibilities on already stretched services and expect better outcomes without giving them the tools to succeed.
“I think we’ve seen that happen time and time again when things are agreed in this place, when the resources don’t follow to enable things to be enacted fully and properly.”
Mr Rowlands said the Welsh Conservatives were really keen to engage constructively, as the bill progresses, to ensure that these duties are matched by the resources and workforce capacity needed to make it effective.
