Presentations were provided on recent reports published and the opportunity for attendees to discuss the outcomes, recommendations and future plans with the authors.

1. Presentations:

National review of the independent reviewing officer service in Wales: Marya Shamte - Social Services Inspector, Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW)

All local authorities in Wales are required to appoint IROs to chair the review of looked after children’s cases.  Their role is to monitor the authority’s function in respect of the review and to refer cases to the Children and Families Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS CYMRU) if there is failure to implement the care plan that could be considered to breach the child’s human rights. The report is available to download on the CSSIW website www.cssiw.org.uk 

Full of Care – Young Carers in Wales 2009: Peter Hosking – Policy Officer, Children’s Commissioners Office

Children’s Commissioner for Wales, launched a report about, and written by, young carers from Wales. Full of Care is the culmination of nation-wide research undertaken by Powys Carers on behalf of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. The project team, led by young carers themselves, gathered the views and opinions from nineteen of Wales’ 22 young carers projects to identify the main barriers young carers face when it comes to realising their rights set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, including their right to education, to relax and play and to have their views respected. Download from the Children’s Commissioner’s website.

2. Evaluation Results

3. Networking