Assembly government 'failing gypsy children'
Jan 24 2007
icWales
Parts of a three-year-old action plan on the education of gypsy children have still not been implemented, Save the Children said today.
The charity accused the Assembly Government of failing some of the most vulnerable children in Wales.
It said the guidance on education for gypsy traveller children has not been updated since 1990 – nine years before devolution.
Gypsy children are still experiencing unacceptable levels of bullying and victimisation at school.
The money available for the education of gypsy children has not increased in the last three years despite increased demand, it said.
The Assembly’s Equal Opportunities committee will discuss services for gypsies and travellers today.
Save the Children said it spoke to gypsy children and professionals working with them about a review of services for gypsies and travellers carried out by the committee.
It found few of the recommendations on education were fully implemented by July 2006, despite an Assembly Government action plan to get most of them in place by the end of 2004.
Local education authorities, schools and teachers were often unaware when there had been progress in national policy.
Anne Crowley, senior policy advisor for Save the Children in Wales, said: “This situation is completely unacceptable.
“The review by the Assembly of services for gypsy travellers in Wales was a really excellent example of good practice.
“But, once again, the Assembly Government’s plans are falling down on implementation.
“Children can’t wait – these plans should have been in place long ago.”
An Assembly Government spokesman said: “We welcome the publication of this report into the education of gypsy and traveller children and we are making progress on our action plan.
“Assembly grants totalling nearly £1 million have been made available and local authorities have had the opportunity through the Equals Fund to increase this allocation by a further 85%.
“That equates to nearly £1.92 million in funding allocated specifically to exactly the kind of issues raised in this report.”
He said the Assembly Government issued guidance on racist bullying.
A new gypsy traveller unit will co-ordinate policy to make sure gypsies have a say in issues affecting them.
He added: “We are in the process of revising our guidance circular.
“A consultant has been appointed and they will work with Government, gypsy travellers and partners to take this forwards over coming months.”
icWales
Parts of a three-year-old action plan on the education of gypsy children have still not been implemented, Save the Children said today.
The charity accused the Assembly Government of failing some of the most vulnerable children in Wales.
It said the guidance on education for gypsy traveller children has not been updated since 1990 – nine years before devolution.
Gypsy children are still experiencing unacceptable levels of bullying and victimisation at school.
The money available for the education of gypsy children has not increased in the last three years despite increased demand, it said.
The Assembly’s Equal Opportunities committee will discuss services for gypsies and travellers today.
Save the Children said it spoke to gypsy children and professionals working with them about a review of services for gypsies and travellers carried out by the committee.
It found few of the recommendations on education were fully implemented by July 2006, despite an Assembly Government action plan to get most of them in place by the end of 2004.
Local education authorities, schools and teachers were often unaware when there had been progress in national policy.
Anne Crowley, senior policy advisor for Save the Children in Wales, said: “This situation is completely unacceptable.
“The review by the Assembly of services for gypsy travellers in Wales was a really excellent example of good practice.
“But, once again, the Assembly Government’s plans are falling down on implementation.
“Children can’t wait – these plans should have been in place long ago.”
An Assembly Government spokesman said: “We welcome the publication of this report into the education of gypsy and traveller children and we are making progress on our action plan.
“Assembly grants totalling nearly £1 million have been made available and local authorities have had the opportunity through the Equals Fund to increase this allocation by a further 85%.
“That equates to nearly £1.92 million in funding allocated specifically to exactly the kind of issues raised in this report.”
He said the Assembly Government issued guidance on racist bullying.
A new gypsy traveller unit will co-ordinate policy to make sure gypsies have a say in issues affecting them.
He added: “We are in the process of revising our guidance circular.
“A consultant has been appointed and they will work with Government, gypsy travellers and partners to take this forwards over coming months.”
Labels: Education, Gypsy Children, Save The Children, Wales
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