ction for Children joins forces with Deputy Minister for Social Services and Children at The National Eisteddfod of Wales

Deputy Minister for Social Services and Children, Gwenda Thomas, is set to deliver a speech on neglect at Action for Children's stand at The National Eisteddfod of Wales.

The speech is part of a week of events planned by at Action for Children's at this year's National Eisteddfod of Wales from Sunday August 4th to Saturday August 11th.

The week will showcase the charity's vital work in supporting and speaking out for the most vulnerable and neglected children and young people, for as long as it takes to make a difference in their lives.

Barbara Street, Acting Strategic Director of Children's Services at Action for Children in Wales said:

"We are delighted that the Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services is supporting us at this year's National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Action for Children works with the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and their families affected by issues including poverty, neglect, abuse, disability, family problems and homelessness. Neglect is widespread and still goes unnoticed - there are currently 62,000 neglected children in Wales which is unthinkable but that is the scale of the problem."

Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services said:

"The main reason for children being taken into care in Wales is neglect and the Welsh Government is taking action to mitigate the incidence of neglect and to ensure that there is a framework of services to support parents and families.
We have a number of early intervention programmes such as Flying Start, Families First and Integrated Family Support Services which can make a direct impact on child poverty, help reduce the incidence of neglect and play a key preventative role in supporting families and reducing the numbers of children who enter care.
I also greatly value the role that foster carers play in caring for looked-after children in Wales. They are vital in enhancing and supporting the well-being of some of our most vulnerable young people in Wales and I'm committed to supporting them and the valuable service they provide."

Deputy Minister for Social Services and Children, Gwenda Thomas, will deliver a speech on Wednesday 8 August, 3pm at Action for Children's stand (Stand 607/608).