The Minister met parents who have benefited from support provided by Flying Start. He also talked to parents who are NSPCC鈥檚 Take 5 Ambassadors. These parents helped develop and promote NSPCC鈥橲 鈥淭ake 5鈥� campaign, which provides hints and tips to help parents keep calm in challenging parenting situations.
The Welsh Government is committed to introducing legislation to remove the defence of reasonable punishment in Wales and investing in support for parents. This package of measures will support children to have the best start in life, and to support their parents to do the best job they can.
The legislation will be underpinned by different sources of support, including health visitors and the Welsh Government鈥檚 family support programmes, Flying Start and Families First. Our Parenting 鈥楪ive it Time鈥� campaign' is another channel through which parents can access high quality information and advice on positive approaches to raising children and gain tips on handling specific issues, like toddler tantrums and potty training.
Every Local Authority in Wales provides a range of parenting support which encompasses universally available information and advice, parenting groups and targeted and intensive support.
Huw Irranca-Davies said:
鈥淚t was great to hear the views of the parents I met in Ebbw Vale today. They are strong advocates of positive parenting and by being Ambassadors for NSPCC鈥檚 Take 5 campaign will be encouraging other parents to get support when they need it .
鈥淧arents can do a lot to encourage better behaviour in their children by adopting positive parenting strategies. Children do best when they feel loved and valued, are well supervised and know what is expected of them. Rewarding children for positive behaviour is far more effective than harsh punishments when they do things wrong. As a Government, we want all children in Wales to have the best possible start in life. By removing the defence of reasonable punishment we will build on the growing attitudinal change of parents already underway.
鈥淧rohibiting physical punishment sends a strong message that encourages parents to adopt other positive alternatives which are much better for our children and for their well-being.
Almost 1,900 people took part in the consultation on the Welsh Government鈥檚 legislative proposal. The outcome of the consultation will be published in due course.
Vivienne Laing, the NSPCC鈥檚 policy and public affairs manager for Wales, said:
鈥淭he NSPCC understands that parenting can be as challenging as it is rewarding. But how we act towards children can make a big difference in their development.
鈥淥ur 鈥楾ake 5鈥� campaign provides advice and support for parents in dealing with children鈥檚 challenging behaviour in a positive and constructive way. It helps parents and carers stay calm, keep their cool and find ways to manage stress and frustration when looking after young children.
鈥淗earing the experiences of our Ebbw Vale ambassadors shows how those ideas are being put into practice by parents, while the visit from the Children鈥檚 Minister shows the Welsh Government鈥檚 commitment to positive parenting.
鈥淲e look forward to continuing to work with the Welsh Government on initiatives which benefit parents and children in Wales, including the removal of the defence of reasonable punishment in cases of assault against children.鈥�