Parenting and family support services across Wales are facing growing demand, rising complexity and sustained pressure. This year’s State of Parenting report highlights families experiencing overlapping challenges including Neurodiversity (ND) and Additional Learning Needs (ALN), mental health concerns, school refusal, child to parent violence, poverty, housing insecurity and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. 

ND and ALN remain the primary drivers of referrals, with long waiting lists and limited access to specialist support leaving many families managing increasingly complex needs. Despite these pressures, services across Wales continue to demonstrate strong, values-led practice through flexible, family-centred and preventative approaches, stronger partnership working and interim support for families awaiting specialist input. 

The findings highlight the urgent need for sustainable funding, workforce investment, reduced waiting times and clearer national direction to enable earlier support and better long-term outcomes for families. 

Read the full report to explore the findings, insights and recommendations in more detail.

 

Full Report