SUMMARY OF WHAT’S BEEN DISCUSSED:
During their latest meeting, Cardiff Council’s Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee spoke about important steps to support youth, focusing on Youth Justice, sports access, and corporate parenting. They discussed:
– Youth Justice Services working to prevent young people from entering the justice system unnecessarily by using diversion programmes. Special attention is given to supporting young people with additional learning needs and those at risk of school exclusion. The committee acknowledged significant improvements in dealing with young people who enter the justice system for the first or second time, highlighting that less serious cases avoid court involvement where possible.
– Ensuring young people from all backgrounds have equal opportunities to access sports facilities, especially football pitches and indoor sports spaces, which are growing popular. Costs and accessibility remain key challenges. The committee was particularly concerned about making sports accessible for girls and marginalized groups and removing financial barriers such as expensive sports gear.
– An updated Corporate Parenting Strategy for 2025-2028 was discussed. Corporate parenting means the Council takes responsibility for young people in care, ensuring they receive stable homes, emotional support, education and opportunities to succeed. The Council aims to improve emotional wellbeing, foster better relationships, and provide safer homes, education and celebration of achievements for care-experienced children.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE:
These discussions matter because:
– Youth justice improvements mean fewer young people will unnecessarily enter the court system. Instead, they will get support, education and intervention at the right moment. This can lead to better long-term outcomes, helping young people move away from crime and towards positive lifestyles.
– Improvements in sports equality could mean affordable, accessible sports available to all children and young people in Cardiff. Reduced costs and better facilities encourage participation, health, friendship and community spirit.
– The new Corporate Parenting Strategy means children in council care will see significant support in mental health, education, employment opportunities and stable living environments. This will help ensure all children in care can thrive and have positive futures, just like their peers.
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S VOICES / INFLUENCE:
Young people’s views directly shaped many initiatives discussed:
– Young people in custody and care-experienced young people contributed their ideas and concerns to the Corporate Parenting Strategy, stressing the importance of stable relationships, feeling heard, and having their rights respected.
– Young people highlighted barriers to sports participation, influencing plans for affordable sports access, especially in more disadvantaged communities like Caerau and Ely.
– Bright Sparks, a group for care-experienced young people, contributed through regular meetings and a special awards event recognising their achievements. Young people said how valuable it was to be heard, supported, and celebrated in positive and meaningful ways.