Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government, Mark Isherwood AM, has called on the First Minister to give clear instruction to local authorities over provision for critical workers to access childcare and educational settings for their children, with four Councils in Wales still insisting that both parents must be key workers in order for them to qualify.
Mr Isherwood first raised the issue with the Welsh Government two weeks ago during the a virtual Plenary session after concerns were raised with him by NHS workers living in Flintshire who were unable to access the provision as both parents were not key workers.
Last Friday (17th) Suzy Davies AM, the Shadow Minister for Education, provided an update after her latest discussion with the Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams AM. This included: “Now, all that needs to be shown is that one parent is a key worker………As of Wednesday, there are only four councils in Wales insisting on the two-parent situation and they are being ‘encouraged’ to offer a place to children of families where only one is a key worker as described on the Welsh Government list………so if you have any instances where such a key worker is being denied access, let me know.”
Taking part in this Wednesday’s virtual Plenary session from his home in North Wales, Mr Isherwood therefore raised the matter again, calling on the First Minister to provide clear instruction to Councils in Wales.
He said:
“In the virtual Plenary two weeks ago, I asked you to clarify provision for critical workers to access childcare and educational settings for their children, after having been contacted by NHS staff in Flintshire who have been told that both parents had to be critical workers in order to qualify.
“I understand that, in most Councils, the rule has been the same, in that where possible in such circumstances parents (in one key worker families with two parents) should stay at home to look after their child, but where that's not possible, care is being made available. My colleague Suzy Davies learned from the education Minister last Friday, we understand, that all that now needs to be shown is that one parent is a key worker.
“Could you therefore please clarify and give clear instructions or directions to local authorities on whether that's accurate and whether it is now sufficient for one parent to be a key worker where the other parent is not able to be at home for any part of the day or the week?”
The First Minister replied: “I believe the guidance has already clarified the position of critical care workers and childcare, but I will make sure that if there is any ambiguity left in the minds of some local authorities that we clarify that with them”.
Mr. Isherwood added “There is huge appreciation for everyone working to deliver provision of childcare for key workers and vulnerable learners during this crisis, including everyone involved with Flintshire’s Community Hub Model. However, although Flintshire County Council advises that Flintshire is not on the Welsh Government list of non-complying local authorities, I am still aware of critical NHS worker families in Flintshire where the second parent is a non-critical worker but there remains a need for their children to access care provision”.
