Consultation on the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill

Tystiolaeth i’r Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg ar gyfer craffu Cyfnod 1 Bil Plant (Diddymu Amddiffyniad Cosb Resymol) (Cymru)

Evidence submitted to the Children, Young People and Education Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny of the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill

CADRP-437

CADRP-437

 

About you

Individual

1      The Bill’s general principles

1.1     Do you support the principles of the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill?

— Yes

1.2     Please outline your reasons for your answer to question 1.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

Children are amongst the most vulnerable in our society yet we have failed to give them the same legal protection afforded to adults. It’s time to right this wrong.

1.3     Do you think there is a need for legislation to deliver what this Bill is trying to achieve?

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

Yes, absolutely.  Children are assaulted daily by parents who know no other means of control. Some parents use physical chastisement as a direct result of their own upbringing. Only through education and ultimately through the rule of law will the cycle be broken.

2      The Bill’s implementation

2.1     Do you have any comments about any potential barriers to  implementing the Bill? If no, go to question 3.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

Some parents will need a great deal of support to manage their children’s difficult behaviour. They may lack skills and knowledge of more positive approaches. The support agencies are seriously underfunded and the care system cannot cope with an influx of children resulting from a change in the law. Care can be more damaging for some children than remaining in an environment where physical chastisement is a feature and should be strenuously avoided wherever possible. Increasingly young social workers with high and complex caseloads may lack the experience to offer appropriate support. There are massive budgetary implications for implementation in education, appropriate support and both trading and support of staff. Resources must be made available. Family centres and surestart projects will need to be PROPERLY funded.

2.2     Do you think the Bill takes account of these potential barriers?

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

I am not sure the commitment to robustly provide sufficient resources is enshrined.

3      Unintended consequences

3.1     Do you think there are there any unintended consequences arising from the Bill? If no, go to question 4.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

No

4      Financial implications

4.1     Do you have any comments on the financial implications of the Bill (as set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum)? If no, go to question 5.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

I imagine adequate implementation may cost more than is currently available.

5      Other considerations

5.1     Do you have any other points you wish to raise about this Bill?

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

This change in the law is long overdue. Denmark found a drop in offences by young people following a similar legal change many years ago. We have been slow to follow suit, to our shame.