Written - Response to the Disabled Children Matter Wales Campaign

I am pleased to report on the close work which is being undertaken with the Disabled Children Matter Campaign in Wales to improve the life chances and equal opportunities of our disabled children and young people.  As Minister for Children and chair of the Children’s Cabinet Committee, I am co-ordinating this important initiative which cuts across Ministerial portfolios on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.

It is encouraging to see that the objectives of the campaign are endorsing the Welsh Assembly Government’s 7 Core Aims for Children and Young People, which form the basis of policies throughout the Welsh Assembly Government, including the Children’s National Service Framework. This NSF, through the implementation of the 201 key actions, will ensure that all children and young people throughout Wales will receive the best possible services that they need in order to lead a full life.

I have invited representatives of the Disabled Children Matter Wales Campaign to join senior Assembly Government officials in a task group to advise me on prioritising their objectives and to enable the Welsh Assembly Government to forward plan our spending in this very important area.  The objectives cut across Ministerial portfolios and we are determined within the Welsh Assembly Government to improve service delivery for these young people

These discussions will take place against the background of the findings of the audit of progress in achieving the objectives of the National Service Framework for Children Young People and Maternity Services.  I am confident that local Children and Young People’s Partnerships will wish to act on this information as they determine their priorities for children’s services.

The Government is also considering across portfolios how we can support the MENCAP campaign for improved access to changing places for disabled people, including funding of £225,000 for 2 mobile changing places for use at large events, and 5 adaptations of major venues across Wales. We are also addressing planning issues around Changing Places toilets in public buildings and regeneration programmes with which the Assembly Government is involved.

I am also announcing today that I have allocated a further £1million this year for the development of early support materials in Wales.  Early Support will improve the quality, consistency and coordination of services for disabled children under the age of five and their families. It is integral to our Rights to Action agenda and the NSF. In addition, I am confirming that £1 million has been included in the Cymorth budget for 2008 -09 onwards to advance access and development of play and leisure services for disabled children and young people.

As I said in my oral statement last week young disabled people want and should have the same things as any young person: they need access to play and facilities, support for them and their families, a say in how services are delivered, an education, a job, a social life, relationships, a place to call their own and freedom to do the things they enjoy. We need to shape our services to support young people in achieving their goals and fulfilling their absolute potential.  

In inviting representatives of the Disabled Children Matter Wales campaign to join a Task Group with the Assembly Government, I have emphasised the importance of making an early start on this work. I am hopeful that the first meeting of the Task Group will take place before Christmas and look forward to reporting to Members further on its work thereafter.