AFASIC CYMRU INITIATIVES

More action needed to keep Welsh youngsters learning or earning

The Welsh Government needs to demonstrate clearer leadership in tackling the issue of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) in Wales, according to a report published on the 15th October by the National Assembly for Wales's Enterprise and Learning Committee.

The report from the cross-party group of AMs states that despite a number of positive strategies being in place, a lack of direction and joint-working is resulting in overlapping and uncoordinated services for the 68,000 Welsh 16-24 year-olds who are NEET.

The committee recommends that one Welsh Government Minister should oversee the agenda and, at local level, a lead agency should be established to coordinate partnerships, identify responsibilities and manage the journey for young people from one stage to another.

During the inquiry, the committee also heard evidence that there is a need for young people's experiences to be looked at from a much younger age, to identify those at risk of becoming NEET in the future.

Other concerns of the Committee are the lack of a strategy specifically for 16 - 25 year-olds and the need to link up NEET services to avoid the 'revolving door' cycle - where young people are moved from provider to provider without progressing.

Chair of the Committee, Gareth Jones AM, said: "The causes of young people being NEET are complex and there are no easy answers to addressing the issue.

"The important point is that all policies and interventions that impact on these young people should be coherent, linked and aligned within an overarching framework of clear objectives and targets.

"The Welsh Government published its NEET strategy in 2009, but evidence received by the Committee showed that its delivery has been patchy and there is still no clear path being paved for the agenda in Wales.

"There is no shortage of aspiration or strategies and we do need diversity. However, more effective action on the ground and better collaboration between different agencies is vital to ensure a continuum of support for these young people".

posted 2 November 2010 [top of page]

Statistics on participation of Welsh young people

The latest National Statistics on participation of young people (aged 16 to 24) in education and the labour market produced by the Welsh Assembly Government were released on 28 July 2010 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.

Statistics on participation levels include new data for year end 2008 and 2009; 2009 data are provisional estimates which have been introduced this year on an experimental basis to provide a timelier picture of participation (data have previously been published 19 months after the reference period). The latest release updates the statistics previously released on 30 July 2009.

The key points from the latest release are:

Compared with 2007, there was an increase in the proportion of 16 to 18 year olds in education or training and a decrease of those in employment while the proportion of those not engaged in education or training nor in employment (NEET) remained at 12 per cent . There was a similar proportion of 19 to 24 year olds in education or training as at year end 2007 but the proportion in employment fell in 2008 and again in 2009 . The proportion of 19 to 24 year olds not engaged in education or training nor in employment (NEET) at year end 2008 was similar to 2007 but increased in 2009.

For 16 to 18 year olds:

- 79 per cent were engaged in some kind of education or training in 2009 (76 per cent in 2008, 74 per cent in 2007);
- 33 per cent were in full or part-time employment in 2009 (40 per cent in 2008, 44 per cent in 2007); and
- 12 per cent were NEET in 2009 (12 per cent in 2008 and 2007).

For 19 to 24 year olds:

- 38 per cent were engaged in some kind of education or training in 2009 (36 per cent in 2008, 37 per cent in 2007);
- 61 per cent were in full or part-time employment in 2009 (65 per cent in 2008, 66 per cent in 2007); and
- 22 per cent were NEET in 2009 (18 per cent in 2008 and 2007).

The information is drawn from a number of sources; data tables on participation in education from 1996 to 2009 are available by single year of age up to the age of 30 through the Assembly's interactive service StatsWales.

posted 2 November 2010 [top of page]

Children's Commissioner Report 2010

In 2001, the National Assembly for Wales decided Wales needed a children's champion. They appointed the UK's first Children's Commissioner with help from children and young people with the principal aim to safeguard and promote the rights and welfare of children in Wales. Keith Towler became the country's second Children's Commissioner in 2008 and he works for every child and young person in Wales who is under 18 years old or 25 years old if they have been in care. Keith works with a team of people to make sure they listen to all children and young people and make sure that the people who make decisions about children and young people's lives take seriously their views and ideas and take action.

Wales is home to 700,000 children and young people, 1 in 3 of those live in poverty. The Welsh Government has adopted the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as the basis of all its work for children and young people and has summarised the UN Convention into seven core aims.

Aim 1 - Have a flying start in life and the best possible basis for their future growth and development

Aim 2 - Have access to a comprehensive range of education, training and learning opportunities, including acquisition of essential personal and social skills.

Aim 3 - Enjoy the best possible physical and mental, social and emotional health, including freedom from abuse, victimisation and exploitation.

Aim 4 - Have access to play, leisure, sporting and cultural activities

Aim 5 - Treated with respect and have their race and cultural identity recognised Aim

6 - Have a safe home and a community that supports physical and emotional wellbeing

Aim 7 - Are not disadvantaged by child poverty

To view the Children's Commissioner's Annual Report for 2009/10, please click on the document below.

Children's Commissioner's Report

Welsh Language Board

Welsh Language BoardThe Welsh Language Board is a statutory organisation, sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government. It was established in December 1993 under the terms of the Welsh Language Act. Its main function is to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language.

The Board's work includes: offering advice and information to central government and to the public; ensuring that public sector bodies treat the Welsh and English languages equally in their services; and other key work.

Further information about the Welsh Language Board

Commission calls in evidence on disability-related harassment in Britain

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is investigating whether public bodies and public transport providers are fulfilling their legal obligations to prevent disabled people from being harassed. Councils, police forces, schools and other public bodies as well as bus, train companies and other public transport providers found to be failing in their duties could face enforcement action.

DHFI Press Release
DHRI Terms of Reference

Commissioning of Speech and Language Therapy Courses

The Minister for Health and Social Services agreed the proposed options regarding the provision of Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) courses in Wales.
Date of decision: 20 April 2010

Statement of information: Each year Welsh Assembly Government commission training for non-medical healthcare professions. The numbers commissioned are determined by the needs of NHS Trusts and LHBs and the priorities of NHS Wales. The professions include Speech and Language Therapists.

Commissioning numbers are based upon a workforce planning process led by the Workforce Development Unit (WDU) which is part of the National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare (NLIAH).

During 2009 workforce planning data were collected as part of the new workforce planning process. Key stakeholders, including Professional bodies and staff organisations who are members of a Stakeholder Board were provided opportunities to discuss and amend proposals based on WDU recommendations which had been informed from a number of sources of intelligence.

SALT courses are currently provided by one education provider only. The decision to contract with a second provider offering a graduate entry programme was agreed in 2006, although to date the programme has not been delivered.

This submission seeks the Minister’s agreement to the future commissioning arrangements for speech and language therapy courses.

Local Health Boards Reorganisation

Full details are available in the attached document.

Working together to tackle speech and language difficulties

Historically, extensive work was carried out by the Speech and Language Therapy Action Group (SALTAG), which culminated in the publication in June 2003 of the 'Working Together' document. This report made a number of recommendations regarding the delivery of speech and language therapy services.

The Welsh Assembly Government's strategy for the delivery of services for children and young people requiring input from speech and language therapy services across Wales was announced at Afasic Cymru’s inaugural conference in October 2004 by the former Ministers of Education and Health. The WAG strategy was to initiate joint working across education and health in the development and improvement of service provision for children and young people with speech, and language and communication difficulties.

Soon after our Conference, the Welsh Assembly Government invited bids from consortiums of Local Authorities, Local Health Boards (LHBs) and NHS Trusts to establish pilot projects across Wales that would explore approaches to the implementation of joint commissioning services for children and young people with speech, language and communication difficulties. The speech, language and communication pilots commenced in April 2005, with four Phase 1 pilots. In 2006 and additional seven pilots joined Phase 2 of the pilot programme. A final pilot joined the programme in 2007 in Phase 3.

In October 2007, CRG Research Ltd. was commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government to conduct an evaluation of the speech, language and communication pilots. The evaluation can be downloaded here.