The Children’s Commissioner for Wales has opened a new office in the city centre, to reach children and young people who don’t know their rights or where to turn for help.
The Swansea office is at Urban HQ on Orchard Street.
Children, young people, parents and carers can get in touch, or arrange a visit, by emailing post@childcomwales.org.uk or calling 01792 765600.
The Commissioner’s Advice and Assistance Service helped more than 600 children, young people, parents and carers with problems affecting children’s rights and wellbeing last year, according to her office.
Who the Swansea office is meant to reach
The office is part of a new three-year plan to make more children aware of the Commissioner, and to build links with communities that are often harder to reach, the organisation says.
It names care-experienced children, disabled children, children from minority ethnic communities and children growing up in poverty as a particular focus.
“We want more children to know who we are”, says Rocio Cifuentes
Commissioner Rocio Cifuentes said her office “can only make a difference if children and young people know we are here for them”.
She said the new base was about bringing the organisation closer to the children and communities it serves. “We want more children to know who we are, what their rights are, and where they can turn if they need support,” she said.
Buildings alone would not do it, she told the launch, and new outreach and engagement roles are being created to build relationships with children, young people and community groups across Wales.
Opened on Monday night by the Deputy Lieutenant of West Glamorgan
Susan A Jones MBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, helped open the office on Monday night, at an event with local politicians and organisations that work with children and young people.
She said the office “will help ensure more children and young people are aware of their rights, the support available to them, and where they can turn when they need help”.
Swansea Council’s cabinet member for children, young people and families, Cllr Alyson Anthony, was among the guests.
Gwyn Williams, the Plaid Cymru MS for Gŵyr Abertawe, said he was “delighted” and looked forward to working with Ms Cifuentes and her team “to promote that work and improve outcomes for children and young people in Swansea and beyond”.
A hub for South West Wales, with a base in Cardiff Bay too
The Swansea office will be the hub for the Commissioner’s work across South West Wales, her office says. It has also set up a presence in Cardiff Bay, and says Mid and North Wales will be reached through its outreach work.
The Commissioner is independent of the Welsh Government, and stands up for children’s rights by working with ministers, public bodies and decision-makers.
Earlier this year, Ms Cifuentes pressed Hywel Dda for a meeting over the lack of a full-time nurse at Ysgol Heol Goffa in Llanelli.
She also called for reform after a report on the Church in Wales’ handling of former Bishop of Swansea and Brecon Anthony Pierce.
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