Paul Apreda, National Manager of FNF Both Parents Matter Cymru and FNF Trustee addressed the Welsh Assembly Petitions Committee evidence session together with Dr Sue Whitcombe - Chartered Psychologist.

The Welsh Assembly Petitions Committee heard that:

• PA is a child safeguarding issue and needs to be recognised as such by CAFCASS (Cymru) / social services / Courts etc
• It is extremely rare that children reject parents - even those who violently or sexually abuse them. PA needs to be understood within that framework rather than being a 'tick box exercise' to meet the requirements for 'Wishes & Feelings' to be reported
• It is a criminal offence under s66 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 and should be reported as such by CAFCASS (Cymru)
• Training and monitoring of front line staff seeing cases must be compulsory
• Front line managerial staff at CAFCASS (Cymru) have confirmed that there is no assessment tool in place to deal with PA.
• Social Care Wales (who regulate the profession & oversee training) have not recognised PA in their toolkit 'Evidence Matters in Family Justice' in a list of 57 areas of expertise in which social workers might expect to have even a minimal knowledge.

You can watch the session here

What do you think?

Send us feedback!