The committee took evidence from Welsh Government ministers and officials on the impact of coronavirus on children and young people’s health and social care in Wales. Ministers said children were generally less likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, though their role in transmission remained uncertain. Paediatric critical care had capacity to increase, but reopening schools would require careful monitoring.

The discussion covered access to health services, including health visiting and routine vaccinations. Officials said vaccination attendance had improved after an initial decline. Ministers identified children’s mental health as a priority, while acknowledging that the full impact of the pandemic was not yet known. CAMHS and seven-day crisis services remained available, and a review of unexpected deaths had been commissioned to help assess whether there had been an increase in suicide. Perinatal mental health services continued, although work on planned inpatient provision had been interrupted.

On safeguarding and social care, ministers expressed concern about a fall in referrals and encouraged vulnerable children to attend school or childcare settings. Local authorities were assessing cases individually and maintaining face-to-face contact where most critical. Officials reported no significant increase in looked-after children, few placement breakdowns and generally stable residential care. They also discussed support for foster carers and care leavers, access to technology and third-sector funding, including approximately £1.5 million for two children’s hospices.

Officials said Wales had not relaxed children’s social care legislation, though practitioners were using technology and adapting assessments and visits. A survey of children’s experiences was planned, as were impact assessments for possible changes in childcare and education. Ministers acknowledged that some childcare providers were missing out on financial support and said they were exploring a tailored scheme; free childcare was available to critical workers and vulnerable children under the coronavirus childcare assistance scheme. Finally, the committee heard that many family court hearings were being held virtually, with more complex cases postponed, before moving into private session.