Will the Minister provide an update on the progress of preventing adverse childhood experiences across Wales?
We are continuing to fund ACE Hub Wales as a centre of expertise on ACEs in Wales. The Hub offers advice and support to public services, third sector organisations, and individuals, on preventing ACEs and mitigating their impact. It also undertakes research and evaluation which helps to further understanding of ACEs and how to prevent them.
Since 2017 we have provided around £4.4million of funding for the Hub and we have agreed to continue its core funding, at current levels, until at least 31 March 2025. We have also made available £175k in 2023/24 and £100k for 2024/25 to provide grants to community groups across Wales to prevent ACEs and support children and young people affected by adversity. This funding is being distributed on our behalf by the Police and Crime Commissioner South Wales.
In our response to the findings of our ACEs policy review in 2021, we committed to the development of an ACEs plan. The plan is nearing completion and will be published in September.