The committee was concerned that school closures and reduced face-to-face contact made vulnerable children harder to identify and protect, while safeguarding referrals had fallen. The Welsh Government planned to expand its definition of vulnerability so local authorities could offer support to children on the edge of care, and encouraged vulnerable children to attend school or childcare settings.

For children in foster care, support included guidance for foster carers, an extended fostering helpline and individual monitoring by local authorities. Members also raised concerns about adequate technology for contact with social workers and financial support for foster carers; some local authorities had paid retainers or provided extra help, but there was no uniform commitment to do so.