Written question WQ88028
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 12 days
Question
Will the Minister provide a breakdown of cases under the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020 which are dealt with by way out-of-court disposals, including the number of cases and list the actions the defendants are required to undertake?
Answer
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Services
Between 21 March 2022 and 30 September 2022, there were 55 referrals for out of court parenting support across Wales by the police. Of the 55 referrals, 55 people chose to take up the offer of parenting support.
A condition of the Out of Court Disposal for those referred is engagement in parenting support which is intended to develop positive non-violent parenting practices. They are required to show appropriate levels of engagement with the support being offered. This is determined by parenting support workers using their professional expertise and judgement. Section 8 of the Out of Court Parenting Support Grant Guidance provides advice to local authorities on what they are expected to cover in the one to one positive parenting sessions, Section 9 of the guidance provides further information on how that engagement should be assessed.