The committee examined the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on children and young people in Wales. Health Minister Vaughan Gething said children generally appeared less likely to become seriously ill, although their role in transmission remained uncertain. Paediatric critical care had surge capacity, but the Government would keep it under review as lockdown restrictions changed. Ministers also urged families to continue using health services and routine vaccinations.

The committee discussed concerns about children’s mental health, safeguarding and access to support. Gething said the full mental health impact was not yet known but would be a priority in recovery planning; crisis services remained available, and a review of unexpected deaths had been commissioned. Officials reported that CAMHS had capacity to meet current need, while acknowledging some staff movement. Deputy Minister Julie Morgan described efforts to encourage vulnerable children to attend school or childcare, maintain contact with families and respond to a drop in safeguarding referrals.

On care services, Morgan said local authorities were assessing vulnerable children individually, placement disruptions were minimal and the children’s services workforce remained above 90 per cent. The Government had not relaxed children’s social care requirements, although some assessments and contacts were being conducted differently. Members also discussed support for foster carers, care leavers, young carers and children who needed technology to stay in touch with workers. Ministers said around £1.5 million of £6.3 million in hospice funding had gone to children’s hospices.

The committee raised concerns that some childcare providers were falling through gaps in financial support and might close permanently. Morgan said the Government was exploring a tailored solution; officials reported that nearly 1,500 children had used the coronavirus childcare assistance scheme in the previous week. The meeting also covered children’s rights assessments, a planned survey of children, and the operation of family courts and child arrangement orders. The chair closed by noting that this was the National Assembly for Wales’s last formal meeting before it became the Senedd.