Mark Hannaby The Politics Show Wales

Clywch Report: Recommendations met?

In 2004 the Children's Commissioner for Wales published the Clywch Report, a major investigation into child abuse at a South Wales school.

Two years on there are concerns that some of its recommendations have not been met.

The Clywch Report investigated abuse perpetrated by drama teacher John Owen at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen.

Children's Commissioner Peter Clarke set out 31 recommendations to minimise the risk to children in future.

Plaid doubts

Plaid Cymru's Education Spokesperson Janet Ryder AM believes some of the report's key recommendations have not been met.

She is concerned that 13 of Wales 22 Local Education Authorities still have not provided school governing bodies with policies setting out how to blow the whistle on suspected abuse.

She also argues that many parts of Wales still don't have good counselling services for children.

Janet Ryder said: "Not every single authority has these procedures in place. Counselling, whistle blowing, are very common things that you would expect every single child in Wales to have access to, and two years down the line from Clywch every child should have access to."

Recommendations not actioned

The Children's Commissioner's Office gave The Politics Show information indicating that at least ten of Mr Clarke's recommendations have not yet been fulfilled.

These deal with matters from guidance on drama teaching to the provision of an independent children's counselling service.

Assistant Children's Commissioner Sara Reid said: "We would welcome the fact that attention is being given to the fact that the timescales have been longer than we would have liked because we want to see every single recommendation implemented."

The solicitor who represented victims of abuse during the Clywch enquiry spoke out on its second anniversary to voice his clients' concerns at the speed of change.

Hywel James said: "Those that I represent wish closure on this for two reasons: one, to ensure that the recommendations are carried out fully so that there was a point to the enquiry, but secondly also to ensure that children in Wales are fully protected."

The Children's Commissioner wanted to see urgent implementation of his recommendations - within six months in many cases.

Tory alarmed

The fact that such a timescale has slipped so dramatically alarms Conservative Education Spokesman Jonathan Morgan AM.

He said: "My concern and my understanding is that we are far from implementing the recommendations of the Clywch enquiry, which is quite a disgrace when you consider the circumstances in which that enquiry took place."

The Assembly Government say that where the responsibility lies with them, they either are implementing or have implemented the recommendations.

A spokesperson said: "Some of the recommendations extend beyond the Assembly Government's responsibilities, involve other UK bodies, deal with non-devolved issues and have required detailed consultation and agreement."

The Politics Show

The Politics Show Wales wants your views. Let us know what you think.

If you want to have your say, you can call 0845 300 90 10, or e-mail via the website.

... Or write to: The Politics Show, Room 1060, BBC Wales, Llandaff, Cardiff. CF5 2YO

The Politics Show - we aim to get closer to your community with our presenter, Adrian Masters.

The Politics Show returns on Sunday 16 July 2006 at 12:00 on BBC One.

Disclaimer: The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published.