Response of the Welsh Assembly Government to the eighth annual report of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales 2008-09

Foreword by Carwyn Jones AM, First Minister

I am pleased to have the opportunity as the new First Minister to welcome the eighth annual report from the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, the second report from Keith Towler, since taking up his post in March 2008.

I had the pleasure of meeting the Children’s Commissioner in January this year and it was clear that the Commissioner has had a very busy year, where he and his staff have made efforts on areas where they can make the most difference by working in a strategic way and in partnership.

Four major reports have been issued by his office during the course of the year; a report on the implementation of the UNCRC; his work on Child Trafficking ‘Bordering on Concern’; one on disabled children’s access to play, ‘A Happy Talent’ and another about his office.  At the same time improvements have been made to the Commissioners’ Website, the Ambassadors scheme and Backchat.  These are all important and positive developments.

In this year’s response we have concentrated on the twenty five issues reviewed by the Children’s Commissioner within his annual report – issues that he considered particularly relevant to the rights and wellbeing of children and young people in Wales.