NCB Now: Legislation will not allow smacking ban

A piece of legislation called the Legislative Competence Order (LCO) on Vulnerable Children will, if passed in Westminster, provide the National Assembly for Wales with new powers to make legislation on a range of issues effecting vulnerable children and young people. Children in Wales were among the voluntary organisations hoping that the new legislation might provide the National Assembly for Wales with the powers to ban smacking.

Lucy Akhtar, development officer for parenting at Children in Wales said: "All human beings have the right not to be hit and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child reminds us that children and young individuals are people too and that they share this right.

"Research shows that positive methods of parenting, which do not rely on physical punishment, are effective."

The Welsh Assembly Government has also expressed support for such a ban but has not had the powers to introduce it. With the situation unclear, the UK Government asked the Welsh Assembly Government to redraft the LCO to not cover the issue. The Welsh Assembly Government agreed amid concerns that the whole of the LCO might be endangered.

Children in Wales will continue to promote positive parenting and co-ordinates the Children are Unbeatable campaign in Wales.

- For details visit: www.childreninwales.org.uk/policy PROPOSED REFORMS

The Government-proposed LCO on vulnerable children could lead to the following reforms:

- A top-up payment to Child Trust Fund accounts

- Free childcare for two-year-olds in greatest need

- Access to a personal adviser and help with expenses and accommodation for care leavers.