Date: Thursday 22 October 2026
Time: 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Location: Conference Rooms C & D, Tŷ Hywel, Senedd, Cardiff (Hybrid Attendance Available) or Reichel Hall, Bangor University or online.
Families, young disabled people, charities, professionals, public services and elected representatives are invited to join the inaugural meeting of the Cross-Party Group for Disabled Children and their Families at the Senedd sponsored by Jayne Bryant MS.
The Group has been established to ensure that the voices of families and young disabled people with lived experience are heard at the heart of decision-making in Wales. It will bring together those with lived experience alongside policymakers and organisations to improve understanding, promote inclusion and influence positive change for disabled children, young people and their families.
What will be discussed?
This first meeting will:
- Formally establish the Cross-Party Group and elect office holders.
- Agree the Group’s Terms of Reference and governance arrangements.
- Identify priority areas for the Group’s first year of work.
- Hear directly from parent carers and organisations supporting disabled children and families.
- Explore how the Group can influence policy and improve outcomes without duplicating the work of existing Senedd Committees.
Discussion will focus on issues identified through engagement with families across Wales, including financial security, employment, childcare, health and wellbeing, respite provision, and ensuring lived experience is central to policymaking.
Hybrid Attendance
The meeting will be held in person at the Senedd, at Bangor University and online, allowing participants from across Wales to take part. Attendees joining remotely will be able to contribute comments and questions through the online chat function, while feedback opportunities will also be available throughout the meeting.
Why Attend?
This is an opportunity to help shape the future direction of the Cross-Party Group and ensure that the experiences of disabled children, young people and their families are reflected in policy discussions at a national level. Whether you are a parent carer, young disabled person, professional, service provider, charity representative or elected member, your voice matters. [Detailed Agenda.docx | Word]
We look forward to welcoming you as we begin this important new chapter for disabled children and their families in Wales.
