PLAID AMS CALL FOR INCREASED PROTECTION FOR HOME SCHOOLED CHILDREN

PLAID AMS CALL FOR INCREASED PROTECTION FOR HOME SCHOOLED CHILDREN

Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet member for Education Llyr Gruffydd and Mid and West Assembly Member Simon Thomas today asked the Cabinet Secretary for Education Kirsty Williams for further protection for children schooled at home in light of the tragic death of 8 year old Dylan Seabridge in Pembrokeshire in 2011.

Dylan Seabridge, who had been educated at home, died from vitamin C deficiency – also known as scurvy.

During questions in the Senedd chamber Assembly Members quizzed the Welsh Government for a statement on home-schooled children.

Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education for Plaid Cymru Llyr Gruffydd

said:

“THIS IS AN APPALLING CASE AND HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE PROTECTION OF OUR CHILDREN. SADLY, THAT LESSON HAS COME AT A GREAT COST.

“LOCAL AUTHORITIES, THE CHILDREN’S COMMISSIONER AND OTHERS HAVE CALLED ON THE WELSH GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION BY INTRODUCING NEW LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CHILDREN THAT ARE HOME SCHOOLED IN WALES. I ECHO THEIR VIEW AND WILL WORK TO CONTINUE THE PRESSURE TO IMPROVE THE CURRENT SYSTEM.

“WE ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN ARE PROTECTED.

THAT INCLUDES KEEPING AN EYE ON THEIR GENERAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING. WE ALL RECOGNISE THAT PARENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE TO EDUCATE THEIR CHILD AT HOME RATHER THAN AT SCHOOL AND THAT HOME EDUCATION IS NOT, IN ITSELF, A RISK FACTOR FOR ABUSE OR NEGLECT. BUT WHILST THERE’S ANY POSSIBILITY THAT A CHILD CAN BECOME ‘INVISIBLE’ AND OF ANOTHER DYLAN SEABRIDGE BEING OUT THERE SOMEWHERE WE MUST HAVE GREATER ACTION BY THE GOVERNMENT TO TACKLE THIS RISK.”

Mid and West AM Simon Thomas added:

“THIS DISTRESSING CASE RAISED SERIOUS CONCERNS AS TO THE APPROACH TAKEN BY AGENCIES AT THE TIME. THE LACK OF A COHESIVE, MULTI-AGENCY APPROACH HAS SINCE BEEN OUTLINED IN REPORTS.

“IT IS CLEAR THAT THE LOSS OF DYLAN SEABRIDGE’S LIFE COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD SUFFICIENT PROVISIONS BEEN IN PLACE.

“THE RIGHT TO HAVE A CHILD EDUCATED AT HOME REMAINS. HOWEVER, IF WE WANT TO SEE A SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND CHILDREN THEN SERIOUS REFLECTION IS A NECESSITY.

“RECOMMENDATIONS OF HAVING A MORE ROUNDED AND HOLISTIC APPROACH TO THE CARE OF OUR CHILDREN SHOULD BE FOLLOWED TO ENSURE THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.”