The Children's Commissioner for Wales published his annual report for 2003-04, focusing on the development of an advice and assistance service to children and young people. He said that he intended to carry out a comprehensive and detailed study with children and young people on bullying.
Source: Annual Report 03-04, Children's Commissioner for Wales (01792 765600)
Links: Report (pdf) | CCW press release
Date: 2004-Nov
The Welsh Assembly government began consultation on proposals from a study group aimed at promoting play opportunities for children.
Source: Play Policy Implementation Group Recommendations, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | WAG press release
Date: 2004-Nov
A discussion paper explored ways of promoting the participation of children and young people in policy and service development in Wales.
Source: Children and Young People s Participation: Working towards a definition, Participation Consortium c/o Save the Children (029 2039 6838)
Links: Discussion paper (pdf) | Discussion paper (Welsh) (pdf)
Date: 2004-Nov
The Welsh Assembly government began consultation on a national service framework for children, young people and maternity services. The framework set out a 10-year vision for developing high quality services and reducing inequalities in service delivery. It set standards for health and social services, as well as other areas that had an impact on the health and well-being of children and young people - including, education, housing, leisure and transport.
Source: National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services in Wales, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 3657)
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | Consultation document (pdf links) | Wales NHS press release
Date: 2004-Oct
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on the powers of the Children's Commissioner in Wales. It refused calls to extend the powers of the Commissioner to include all issues concerning child welfare.
Source: The Powers of the Children's Commissioner for Wales: The Government Response to the Committee's Fifth Report of Session 2003-04, Fourth Special Report (Session 2003-04), HC 1126, House of Commons Welsh Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response | MPs report
Date: 2004-Oct
A literature review examined evidence from education, employment, health, leisure and other services for young people in Wales, and reviewed some of the 'promising approaches' to the promotion of young people s universal entitlement to such services.
Source: Kevin Haines, Stephen Case and Jo Portwood, Extending Entitlement: Creating visions of effective practice for young people in Wales, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2004-Aug
A report by a committee of MPs strongly recommended that the government confer on the Children's Commissioner for Wales powers that covered all aspects of a child's life in Wales.
Source: The Powers of the Children's Commissioner for Wales, Fifth Report (Session 2003-04), HC 538, House of Commons Welsh Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2004-Jul
A taskforce report said that there was a gap between the aspirations of the Welsh Assembly Government and the reported experiences of children and young people living in poverty. The Welsh Assembly government began consultation on the report's findings.
Source: Report of the Child Poverty Task Group, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Report (pdf) | WAG press release
Date: 2004-Jun
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on policy towards children and young people in Wales. It accepted a recommendation that powers over CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) in Wales should be transferred to the National Assembly for Wales.
Source: The Government Response to the First Report of the Committee Session 2003-04: The Empowerment of Children and Young People in Wales, Second Special Report (Session 2003-04), HC 459, House of Commons Welsh Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response | MPs report
Date: 2004-Apr
The Welsh Assembly Government responded to the second annual report of the Children's Commissioner for Wales, detailing the action taken on the commissioner's recommendations.
Source: Response of the Welsh Assembly Government to the Second Annual Report of the Children's Commissioner for Wales: 2002-2003, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Response (Word file) | Commissioner's report (pdf)
Date: 2004-Jan
A Welsh Assembly Government consultation paper addressed issues relating to policy and the provision of services for children and young people in Wales, and described briefly what had been achieved over the previous 3 years; set out ongoing activities; and outlined the way forward.
Source: Children and Young People: Rights to Action, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Consultation document (pdf)
Date: 2004-Jan
A committee of MPs commended the Welsh Assembly for its work to promote children and young people's participation at all levels of life in Wales. It said it was 'unimpressed' with the existing form of the United Kingdom Youth Parliament and its dual role as the UK Youth Parliament and the English Youth Parliament, and recommended the establishment of a separate English Youth Parliament. It also said that powers over youth justice should be conferred on the Welsh Assembly.
Source: The Empowerment of Children and Young People in Wales, First Report (Session 2003-04), HC 177, House of Commons Welsh Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2004-Jan
