English: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. Our vision for children's services is clearly set out in our programme for government, 'Taking Wales Forward', and our national strategy, 'Prosperity for All'. I believe there is a strong cross-party consensus amongst Members of this Chamber that we all have collective responsibility to ensure that care-experienced children are provided with the best care and support available to allow them to flourish in a safe environment and to enjoy the same opportunities as any other child would expect. I think there is also consensus that, where possible, children should be supported to stay with their birth families. Our First Minister has highlighted the increasing numbers of looked-after children in Wales as a priority area for preventative action. The First Minister has asked for clear reduction expectations to be set to reduce the numbers of children in care, reduce the number of children placed out of county, reduce the number of children placed out of Wales, and reduce the number of children removed from parents with a learning disability. Latest statistics show that, at 31 March 2018, there were 6,405 looked-after children in Wales. Over the last 15 years, we've seen the number of looked-after children in Wales increase by 34 per cent. A recent report from the Wales Centre for Public Policy notes that this rise cannot be attributed to austerity alone. The rate of looked-after children per 10,000 population in Wales is 102. However, there is significant variation across Welsh authorities, ranging from 50 per 10,000 population at the lowest, to 191 per 10,000 population at the highest, and, although deprivation is an important factor in this variation, there are also variations in practice. This variation between areas and the general upward trajectory is unsustainable, and local authorities themselves have acknowledged the pressure being placed on children's services and the family courts. Almost 25 per cent of looked-after children are placed out of county and 5 per cent are placed outside Wales. While there'll often be good reasons for them to be placed out of the area - for example, the need for specialist placements or with wider families and friends - we want to explore as to whether a proportion of these children could be placed more appropriately closer to home. Proposed reduction expectations will span the course of three years, with regular evaluation and monitoring, both quarterly and at the end of each year. I acknowledge that this is a challenging agenda. However, given the pressures being placed on local authorities and the family courts in an era of dwindling resources, we must take action that will help safely reduce the number of looked-after children in Wales, enabling resources to be re-invested in prevention and in supporting positive outcomes for care-experienced children in Wales. I've been absolutely clear that, if we take a safety-first approach here in Wales, nothing overrides the need to protect children from abuse or neglect. And I've committed to work co-productively with local authorities to develop reduction expectations that are bespoke to each local authority, tailored to their populations and demography. This approach has been welcomed by the Wales Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru, who have committed to work with us on this agenda. Working co-productively, a technical group was established, with senior representatives from local government and the third sector. A conversation framework and reporting template was developed ahead of a visit by a small looked-after children engagement team to each of the 22 local authorities in Wales. The framework helped set the agenda and ensure a consistent discussion was had in each local authority, focusing on how they manage their service, their approach to risk, and management of entrance and exits from care. All 22 visits were completed in April and May. The engagement team were very impressed by the scale of work being undertaken throughout Wales to support children and families and to avoid the need for statutory intervention, and discussions held with local authorities were well received. Conversations focused on the need for collective responsibility for children's services at a corporate level to support improved outcomes for children. Local authorities were encouraged to demonstrate how they manage the business of children's services, including information about the practice framework they operate, data about the services provided to children and families, performance monitoring and tracking. Local authorities were encouraged to be aspirational and ambitious in developing their reduction expectation plans. A clear message was given of the need for action to rebalance the system, focusing on prevention and early intervention to support the best interests of children and families. As the officials went around Wales, concerns were raised about potential consequences of not meeting expectations. Local authorities were reassured that penalties were not being considered. There are clear consequences of not taking action, however. Whilst official statistics on the numbers of looked-after children will not be available for 2018-19 until November, local authorities reported early figures, as of March 2019, which show another potential increase in the number of looked-after children of around 470, leading to a rate of 109 per 10,000 population. To compare this with other UK nations, in Northern Ireland, for example, the rate is much lower, at 71 per 10,000, despite it being more deprived overall than Wales. Based on existing trends, if we were not to take any action, numbers will continue to increase by an average of 6 per cent per year. Following the visits, all local authorities returned reduction expectation plans by 31 May. Sixteen local authorities have set targets to reduce their looked-after population, representing an average reduction of 4 per cent in each of the next three years. Conversations are under way with those authorities that have yet to commit to reductions. Further visits were being planned to support those authorities in the development of their reduction expectations. Clarification is also required on the plans submitted for out of county, out of Wales and children removed from parents with a learning disability. Whilst local authorities have told us that children are being appropriately placed, authorities are being encouraged to demonstrate their plans for bringing children closer to home. Local authorities have consistently highlighted that the judiciary, the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service Cymru and health boards also have a key role in supporting reduction expectation plans. We are concerned, for example, that the number of children placed with parents under a care order has increased significantly over the last three years. Further work will be undertaken with the judiciary and CAFCASS Cymru to understand a perceived reluctance in the use of supervision orders, section 76 and the application of the no order principle. Local authorities and key partners will be invited to a national learning and peer support event in October to learn about the key messages from this work. Local authorities will be encouraged to work together and share best practice that will help reduce the variance in numbers across Wales. This exercise is aligned with the activity continuing under the Improving Outcomes for Children programme and its ministerial advisory group, ably and successfully chaired by David Melding AM, particularly the focus of work stream 1, around prevention and early intervention and safely reducing the need for care. Together, this demonstrates our firm commitment to rebalancing the looked-after children system so that the right support can be provided to enable families to support their own children, and outcomes for those children in care are maximised.
Welsh: Diolch yn fawr iawn, Dirprwy Lywydd. Caiff ein gweledigaeth ni o ran gwasanaethau plant ei hamlinellu'n glir yn ein rhaglen lywodraethu, 'Symud Cymru Ymlaen', ac yn ein strategaeth genedlaethol, 'Ffyniant i Bawb'. Rwy'n credu bod consensws trawsbleidiol cryf ymysg aelodau'r Siambr hon fod gan bob un ohonom ni gyfrifoldeb ar y cyd i sicrhau bod plant sy'n cael profiad o ofal yn cael y gofal a'r cymorth gorau sydd ar gael i'w galluogi nhw i ffynnu mewn amgylchiadau diogel a mwynhau'r un cyfleoedd ag y byddai unrhyw blentyn arall yn eu disgwyl. Rwy'n credu hefyd bod consensws y dylai plant, os oes modd, gael cymorth i fod gyda'u teuluoedd biolegol. Mae ein Prif Weinidog wedi tynnu sylw at y ffaith bod nifer cynyddol y plant sy'n derbyn gofal yng Nghymru yn faes blaenoriaeth ar gyfer camau ataliol. Mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi gofyn am osod disgwyliadau clir i leihau nifer y plant mewn gofal, a lleihau nifer y plant sy'n cael eu lleoli y tu allan i'w sir, a lleihau nifer y plant sy'n cael eu lleoli y tu allan i Gymru, yn ogystal â lleihau nifer y plant sy'n cael eu symud oddi wrth rieni sydd ag anabledd dysgu. Mae'r ystadegau diweddaraf yn dangos bod 6,405 o blant yn derbyn gofal yng Nghymru ar 31 o fis Mawrth 2018. Dros y 15 mlynedd diwethaf, rydym wedi gweld cynnydd o 34 y cant yn nifer y plant sy'n derbyn gofal yng Nghymru. Mae adroddiad diweddar gan Ganolfan Polisi Cyhoeddus Cymru yn nodi na ellir priodoli'r cynnydd hwn yn unig i gyni. Cyfradd y plant sy'n derbyn gofal fesul 10,000 o'r boblogaeth yng Nghymru yw 102. Serch hynny, mae hyn yn amrywio'n sylweddol rhwng awdurdodau yng Nghymru, o 50 fesul 10,000 o'r boblogaeth ar ei isaf, hyd 191 fesul 10,000 o'r boblogaeth ar ei uchaf. Ac er bod amddifadedd yn ffactor pwysig yn yr amrywiad hwn, ceir amrywiadau hefyd o ran ymarfer. Ni ellir goddef y gwahaniaeth hwn rhwng ardaloedd na'r cynnydd cyffredinol, ac mae'r awdurdodau lleol eu hunain wedi cydnabod y pwysau sy'n cael ei roi ar wasanaethau plant ac ar y llysoedd teulu. Mae bron 25 y cant o'r plant sy'n derbyn gofal yn cael eu lleoli y tu allan i'w sir a 5 y cant yn cael eu lleoli y tu allan i Gymru. Er bod rhesymau da yn aml dros eu lleoli y tu hwnt i'r ardal - er enghraifft, yr angen am leoliadau arbenigol neu gyda ffrindiau a'r teulu ehangach - rydym yn awyddus i ystyried a ellid lleoli cyfran o'r plant hyn mewn modd mwy priodol yn nes at eu cynefin. Bydd y disgwyliadau arfaethedig o ran lleihau hyn yn ymestyn dros gyfnod o dair blynedd, gyda gwerthuso a monitro'n digwydd yn rheolaidd, yn chwarterol ac ar ddiwedd pob blwyddyn. Rwy'n cydnabod bod yr agenda hon yn un heriol. Er hynny, o ystyried y pwysau a roddir ar awdurdodau lleol a'r llysoedd teulu mewn oes lle mae adnoddau yn prinhau, mae'n rhaid i ni gymryd camau a fydd yn helpu i leihau mewn modd diogel nifer y plant sy'n derbyn gofal yng Nghymru, gan alluogi ail-fuddsoddi mewn adnoddau i atal a chefnogi canlyniadau cadarnhaol i blant sydd â phrofiad o ofal yng Nghymru. Rwyf wedi bod yn gwbl glir, drwy weithredu mewn dull sy'n rhoi diogelwch yn gyntaf yma yng Nghymru, nid oes dim yn bwysicach na'r angen i amddiffyn plant rhag cael eu cam-drin neu eu hesgeuluso. Ac rwyf wedi ymrwymo i weithio mewn modd cydgynhyrchiol ag awdurdodau lleol i ddatblygu disgwyliadau o ran lleihau sydd wedi cael eu teilwra'n benodol i bob awdurdod lleol, a'u teilwra i'w poblogaethau a'u demograffeg nhw. Cafodd y dull hwn o weithredu ei groesawu gan Gymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru a Chymdeithas Cyfarwyddwyr Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol Cymru, sydd wedi ymrwymo i weithio gyda ni ar yr agenda hon. Gan weithio mewn ffordd gydgynhyrchiol, sefydlwyd grŵp technegol, gydag uwch gynrychiolwyr o Lywodraeth Leol a'r trydydd sector. Datblygwyd fframwaith ar gyfer trafodaeth a thempled ar gyfer adrodd cyn i bob un o'r 22 awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru gael ymweliad gan dîm bychan i ymgysylltu â phlant sy'n derbyn gofal. Helpodd y fframwaith i bennu'r agenda a sicrhau bod trafodaeth yn digwydd yn gyson ym mhob awdurdod lleol, gan ganolbwyntio ar sut y maen nhw'n rheoli eu gwasanaeth, eu dull o ymdrin â risg, a'u dull o reoli mynediad i ofal a gadael gofal. Cwblhawyd pob un o'r 22 ymweliad ym misoedd Ebrill a Mai. Roedd y tîm ymgysylltu yn edmygu maint y gwaith sy'n cael ei wneud ledled Cymru i gefnogi plant a theuluoedd ac i osgoi'r angen am ymyrraeth statudol, a chafodd y trafodaethau a gynhaliwyd gydag awdurdodau lleol dderbyniad da. Roedd y trafodaethau'n canolbwyntio ar yr angen am gyfrifoldeb ar y cyd dros wasanaethau plant ar lefel gorfforaethol i helpu i wella canlyniadau i blant. Anogwyd yr awdurdodau lleol i ddangos sut y maen nhw'n rheoli'r busnes gwasanaethau plant, gan gynnwys gwybodaeth am y fframwaith ymarfer y maen nhw'n ei weithredu, data am y gwasanaethau a ddarperir i blant a theuluoedd, monitro perfformiad ac olrhain. Anogwyd awdurdodau lleol i fod yn uchelgeisiol wrth ddatblygu eu cynlluniau o ran disgwyliadau lleihau. Cyhoeddwyd y neges yn glir am yr angen i weithredu i ailgydbwyso'r system, gan ganolbwyntio ar atal ac ymyrryd yn gynnar i gefnogi buddiannau plant a theuluoedd. Wrth i'r swyddogion fynd o amgylch Cymru, mynegwyd pryderon ynglŷn â chanlyniadau posibl methiant wrth fodloni'r disgwyliadau. Rhoddwyd sicrwydd i'r awdurdodau lleol nad oedd cosbi'n cael ei ystyried. Fodd bynnag, fe ddaw canlyniadau amlwg yn sgil peidio â gweithredu. Er nad yw ystadegau swyddogol ar niferoedd y plant sy'n derbyn gofal ar gael ar gyfer 2018-19 tan fis Tachwedd, cyfeiriodd yr awdurdodau lleol at y ffigurau cynnar, fel y rhai ym mis Mawrth 2019, sy'n dangos cynnydd arall o bosib yn nifer y plant sy'n derbyn gofal o oddeutu 470, gan arwain at gyfradd o 109 i bob 10,000 o'r boblogaeth. O gymharu hyn â gwledydd eraill y DU, yng Ngogledd Iwerddon, er enghraifft, mae'r gyfradd yn is o lawer, sef 71 fesul 10,000, er gwaethaf y ffaith ei bod yn fwy difreintiedig yno nag yng Nghymru, yn gyffredinol. Ar sail y tueddiadau presennol, os na chymerwn ni unrhyw gamau gweithredu, bydd y niferoedd yn parhau i gynyddu 6 y cant ar gyfartaledd bob blwyddyn. Yn dilyn yr ymweliadau, rhoddodd pob awdurdod lleol ei gynlluniau ar gyfer disgwyliadau o ran lleihad erbyn 31 Mai. Mae 16 o awdurdodau lleol wedi gosod nodau i leihau niferoedd y rhai sy'n derbyn gofal, sy'n golygu gostyngiad o 4 y cant ar gyfartaledd ym mhob un o'r tair blynedd nesaf. Mae trafodaethau ar y gweill gyda'r awdurdodau hynny sydd heb ymrwymo eto i ostyngiadau. Roedd ymweliadau pellach yn cael eu cynllunio i helpu'r awdurdodau hynny i ddatblygu eu disgwyliadau nhw o ran lleihad. Mae angen eglurhad hefyd ar y cynlluniau a gyflwynir o ran yr hyn sy'n digwydd y tu allan i'w sir, y tu allan i Gymru ac yn achos plant a symudir oddi wrth rieni sydd ag anabledd dysgu. Er bod awdurdodau lleol wedi dweud wrthym fod plant yn cael eu lleoli mewn modd priodol, fe'u hanogir i ddangos eu cynlluniau ar gyfer dod â phlant yn nes i'w cynefin. Mae awdurdodau lleol wedi tynnu sylw'n gyson at y ffaith bod gan y farnwriaeth, y Gwasanaeth Cynghori a Chynorthwyo Llys i Blant a Theuluoedd Cymru a byrddau iechyd hefyd waith allweddol o ran cefnogi cynlluniau ar gyfer disgwyliadau lleihad. Rydym yn pryderu, er enghraifft, fod nifer y plant sydd wedi cael eu lleoli gyda rhieni dan orchymyn gofal wedi cynyddu yn sylweddol dros y tair blynedd diwethaf. Bydd gwaith pellach yn cael ei wneud gyda'r farnwriaeth a CAFCASS Cymru i ddeall yr amharodrwydd i ddefnyddio gorchmynion goruchwylio, adran 76 a gweithredu'r egwyddor na ddylid rhoi gorchymyn. Bydd awdurdodau lleol a phartneriaid allweddol yn cael eu gwahodd i ddigwyddiad cenedlaethol dysgu a chefnogi gan gymheiriaid ym mis Hydref er mwyn dysgu am y negeseuon allweddol a ddaw o'r gwaith hwn. Bydd awdurdodau lleol yn cael eu hannog i gydweithio a rhannu arferion gorau a fydd yn helpu i leihau'r amrywiaeth yn y niferoedd ledled Cymru. Mae'r ymarfer hwn yn cyd-fynd â'r gweithgarwch sy'n parhau yn sgil y rhaglen Gwella Canlyniadau i Blant a'i grŵp cynghori gweinidogol, y mae David Melding AC yn ei gadeirio yn fedrus ac yn llwyddiannus, yn enwedig y canolbwyntio ar ffrwd waith 1, ynghylch atal ac ymyrraeth gynnar a lleihau'r angen am ofal mewn modd diogel. Gyda'i gilydd, mae hyn yn dangos ein hymrwymiad cadarn i ailgydbwyso'r system ar gyfer plant sy'n derbyn gofal fel y gellir rhoi'r cymorth cywir i alluogi teuluoedd i gefnogi eu plant eu hunain, a sicrhau'r canlyniadau gorau posibl ar gyfer y plant hynny sydd mewn gofal.