Issue - meetings

To present Information about the Department’s contribution to the Language Policy and how we attempt to promote the Welsh Language in our work.

To accept the report and note the observations received.

The report was presented by the Head of the Children and Supporting Families Department, and briefly drew attention to the following main points:

·       It was confirmed that the Early Years Service collaborated with members of CWLWM (5 lead childcare organisations in Wales) to promote the Welsh language across care settings in Gwynedd.

·       It was explained that "Cynllun Croesi'r Bont" run by Mudiad Meithrin was ongoing, with its purpose being Welsh language immersion within nursery groups and classes.

·       It was noted that the Early Years Service offered grants of £100 to new private childminders who were non-Welsh speakers to assist with buying Welsh language resources.

·       It was explained that the department provided support for parents to learn Welsh through Mudiad Meithrin's online 'clwb cwtsh' sessions, and the 'Friends' courses through the medium of Welsh with the support of the Family Support Team, the Trobwynt Team and the Youth Service.

·       It was ensured that linguistic needs were a factor in determining matters such as the contents of the care packages and the support for vulnerable children, care settings and fostering/adoption. It was explained that some children under the Department's care were moved to an out-of-county area due to safeguarding needs, but it was confirmed that the Social Worker would continue to address the child's language needs through visits and resources.

·       It was reported that there were 55 Nursery Education providers in Gwynedd that received Early Years Teacher support from the Department. They provided Welsh language nursery education for 10 hours a week for 3-year-old children in order to immerse them in the language and introduce them to the language as the language of education.

·       There was a Network of Youth Service Support Workers providing informal learning opportunities and accreditations for young people through the medium of Welsh.  This was a means of bridging school activities with social activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, with all elements of the award now available in Welsh via a new app.

·       It was confirmed that all the 'Effective Child Protection' programme materials had been developed in Welsh and English for regional and national use.

·       It was noted that a group of foster carers from Gwynedd had created a video as part of the national Foster Wales fostering campaign. It was noted that the video was presented in Welsh with English subtitles and was frequently shared on social media to attract people to consider fostering.

·       The Department has led on the establishing an Activities and Play Framework for children, young people and families across the Council's departments.  24 activity providers had been approved on the framework and were able to provide Welsh-medium play opportunities.

·       It was a source of pride that over 50 local organisations had come together recently to offer well-being activities for young people as part of the Gwynedd Young People Well-being Week.

·       The Department had been collaborating with the Council's Well-being Team to develop the 'Ai Di' App as a convenient way for young carers to keep in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8