The aim of the group is to influence public policy in Wales in the field of disabled children and young people.

This will be achieved by:-

• Liaison with the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government to raise awareness of relevant issues and to give feedback on the impact of policy.
• Promoting the specific needs of disabled children and young people
• Contributing to policy development through membership of working groups and responses to consultations
• Identifying of areas of common concern and agreement on the best ways of taking action
• Collaborative working in areas of mutual interest and concern at a national level between members of the group
• Promoting and supporting inter-agency cooperation and collaboration
• Development of mechanism for consultation and participation with other groups and networks
• Effective engagement with children and young people on specific issues, to enable them to present their views and opinions

Membership

Membership of the group is open to organisations that work with disabled children and their families on a Wales wide basis.

Organisations currently in membership include Children in Wales, Action for Children – Gweithredu dros Blant, Barnardo’s Cymru, Children’s Commissioner’s Office, SNAP, Contact a Family, ABCD Cymru, NSPCC.

For further information contact Lynne Hill, Policy Director, E-mail: lynne.hill@childreninwales.org.uk or Catherine Lewis, Development Officer, E-mail: catherine.lewis@childreninwales.org.uk , Tel: 029 2034 2434

Issues discussed at the last meeting

• Meeting Notes - June 2009
• Presentation by Nia Lewis Implementation Manager of the Children’s National Service Framework
• Presentation Appendix 1 (Key actions and comments)
• Presentation Appendix 2 (Chapter 5 and SAAT)