The solutionWe're asking the Welsh Government to do three things to protect the care children need.
The new Welsh Government has an opportunity to look again at how policy changes are being implemented — protecting the principle behind them while avoiding continued consequences for our society's most vulnerable children and the communities they live in.
Delay the timescales to prevent avoidable harm and impossible public cost.
01
Children's homes can't simply be replaced by local authorities without consequences, disruption for children and high public cost.
Many of the independently run children's homes in Wales have been developing their specialist expertise over decades, providing life-changing care that would otherwise not have been available to the children and families who need it most.
Replacing existing care takes properties, investment, registration, experienced managers, skilled teams and time.
There is no benefit in meeting a deadline if children pay the price.
We're asking Government to review the implementation timeline to avoid continued consequences for children and families and the communities they live in.
Review the policy to make sure it really works for children and our society.
02
Before going further, look again at whether the policy as currently designed, funded and timed will actually leave children with better care.
⏺ Does Wales have enough suitable homes?
⏺ Is the funding there to replace those that could be lost?
⏺ Where will the workforce come from?
⏺ What will replacement care cost?
⏺ And what have we learned from children already affected?
A policy intended to improve children's lives should be judged by what it does for children.
The potential cost of pressing ahead
1,069
children's homes places could be lost
£436–£518m
is what the changes could cost
Protect the many life-changing services children and families already rely on in Wales.
03
If the aim is to ensure children's care delivers social value, there should be more ways for good providers to make that transition without losing what they have built.
Widen the permitted operating models and provide a fair-value route for providers wishing to transfer into an agreed mission-locked structure.
Wales can't afford to lose amazing care, provided by amazing people.
There is an opportunity to reform children's social care, without a continuing crisis for children, families and communities.
Want to understand more?
Why is this happening?
Understand the policy, the current timeline and what it means for communities across Wales.
Why is this happeningWhat could it mean where you live?
Explore the potential impact in your local area.
Find your areaWhat does the evidence show?
Explore the data, sources and methodology behind the campaign.
See the evidence