The committee questioned Welsh Government ministers and officials about the pandemic’s impact on children and young people in Wales. They discussed uncertainty about children’s role in transmitting COVID-19, plans for paediatric critical care, and the need to encourage families to continue using health visiting and vaccination services.

Mental health was a major focus. Ministers said the full impact on children was not yet known, but that a recovery plan was a priority, crisis services remained available and a review of unexpected deaths had been commissioned. They also discussed continued perinatal mental health support and delays to planned inpatient provision.

On safeguarding and social care, officials reported concern about reduced referrals and limited contact with vulnerable children. They described efforts to increase attendance at school and childcare settings, maintain social worker contact, expand the definition of vulnerability and monitor care placements. They said children’s social care legislation had not been relaxed, although assessments and visits were being carried out differently.

The committee also examined support for charities and children’s hospices, foster carers, care leavers and young carers; children’s rights assessments; access to technology; and the operation of family courts. Ministers acknowledged that some childcare providers were missing out on financial support and said they were exploring a tailored package, while free childcare was available to critical workers and vulnerable children. The meeting ended with the committee agreeing to continue in private.