Children and Young people Committee

Safe Places to Play and Hang Out

Terms of Reference

To inquire into the experiences of children (aged 11 and under) and young people (aged 11-18) in Wales in accessing safe places to play and hang out.

The inquiry will:

Consider issues affecting the play experiences of specific groups of children and young people such as:

• Children and young people living in rural areas

• Children and young people living in disadvantaged areas and in low income households

• Disabled children and young people

• Children and young people from marginalized groups such as the Gypsy Traveller community

Review issues relevant to existing provision such as:

• The consistency and the quality of provision

• What can be done to make the play and leisure facilities that do exist in communities to be safer and feel safer

• The costs of accessing provision, including transport costs

Review the effectiveness of current policy provision and initiatives in providing safe places to play and hang out such as:

• Welsh Government Play Policy and Play Implementation Plan

• Potential impact of Children and Families (Wales) Measure

• Existing Youth and Leisure Services

• Planning Policy and its implementation

• Welsh Government Communities First Programme

• Role of Schools and specifically Community Focused Schools

• Homezones

• Community safety initiatives such as Police And Communities Together (PACT)

Examine the impact of specific barriers to safe places to play and hang out such as:

• Bullying  

• Negative stereo types of children and young people / perceptions of anti-social behaviour

• Traffic and road safety issues