The Welsh Government has announced more than £800,000 in new funding to support parents navigating child protection processes, ensuring they feel heard, informed and supported at every stage.
The announcement was made by Minister for Children and Social Care Dawn Bowden during the Parent Advocacy Network (PAN) Cymru Conference in Port Talbot. As part of the package, £133,600 will be dedicated to expanding PAN Cymru’s successful Parent Café model into additional areas across Wales.
The Parent Cafés provide peer‑led, parent‑centred support spaces, enabling families to share experiences, build confidence, and develop greater resilience during challenging periods. The model has grown in popularity due to its empowering, community‑focused approach.
Research indicates that parental advocacy can reduce the number of children entering care, strengthen relationships between parents and social workers, and give parents increased confidence when engaging with statutory services.
The total investment of £808,408 includes continued funding for key professional advocacy providers:
- National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS)
- Tros Gynnal Plant (TGP) Cymru
- Mental Health Matters
This will sit alongside the expanded investment in PAN Cymru’s peer‑led advocacy, offering a blended model of professional and parent‑driven support.
Parental advocacy forms an integral part of the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government, reflecting a clear commitment to supporting families and preventing them from breaking up wherever possible. This includes funding advocacy services specifically designed for parents whose children are involved in child protection processes.
Dawn Bowden, Welsh Minister for Children and Social Care:
“We all want to improve outcomes for children and families across Wales.
“PAN Cymru has achieved remarkable progress in transforming how families experience and engage with children’s social services in Wales.
“When I visited a Parent Café last summer, I heard parents describe finding renewed purpose and improved wellbeing. The power of peer support can be life-changing and that was clear to see.
“This funding will help more families across Wales access this crucial support, helping to keep children safely with their families wherever possible.”
To ensure consistent support across all regions of Wales, the Welsh Government will develop a new National Framework for Parental Advocacy. This framework will help guarantee that all parents – regardless of where they live – receive the same high‑quality support, guidance and independent advocacy during child protection proceedings.
The funding marks a significant step forward in strengthening family support networks and ensuring parents feel empowered and informed throughout child protection processes.
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