The committee heard evidence from Welsh Government ministers and officials about the pandemic’s effects on children and young people. They said children were generally less likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, though their role in transmission remained uncertain. Paediatric critical care had surge capacity, but ministers said it would need continual review, particularly as schools reopened.

Members raised concerns about families avoiding healthcare, vaccinations and mental health services. Ministers said routine services and seven-day crisis care remained available, with expanded telephone and online support. The Government was assessing the pandemic’s mental health impact and had commissioned a review of unexpected deaths to understand whether youth suicide had increased. Perinatal mental health services continued, although work on planned inpatient provision had been interrupted.

On safeguarding and care, officials reported an initial fall in referrals, efforts to encourage vulnerable children into school or childcare, and continued contact and risk assessments by social services. They said there had been no significant rise in the number of looked-after children and few placement breakdowns. The Government planned to expand the definition of vulnerable children eligible for support and was working with fostering organisations and the third sector. Around £1.5 million of £6.3 million in hospice support had gone to two children’s hospices.

The committee also questioned children’s rights assessments, support for young carers and access to technology. Officials said children’s social care requirements had not been relaxed, assessments continued in adapted ways, and a survey would seek children’s views. Ministers acknowledged gaps in financial support for childcare providers and said they were exploring a tailored scheme; free childcare was available for critical workers and vulnerable children under the coronavirus assistance scheme. Family courts were conducting many hearings remotely, with more complex cases postponed.

The chair thanked participants and noted that this was the National Assembly for Wales’s last formal meeting before it became the Senedd. The committee then agreed to continue in private.