Today marks a significant milestone for children’s rights in Wales with the official launch of Bil Pob Plentyn (Every Child’s Bill in English). This bold new legislative proposal is the result of work by Jane Dodds MS and twenty other organisations, including Safe Families and Home for Good. It calls on political parties to commit to adopting the proposal to enshrine a legally protected Right for Every Child in Welsh law in their manifestos.
Bil Pob Plentyn calls on parties to commit to placing a statutory duty on public bodies to actively listen to, protect, and support every child in Wales – regardless of their background or circumstances. This landmark legislative proposal calls on parties to guarantee that the rights of children are no longer treated as optional, but as fundamental.
The campaign behind Bil Pob Plentyn stems from a growing recognition that despite progress, too many children, especially those in care, still face barriers to being heard, safe, and properly supported. The proposed law aims to change this by embedding children’s rights into the heart of public decision-making and accountability.
“This is about building a Wales where every child knows their voice matters, where their safety is protected by law, and where their future is shaped with dignity and care,” argues Jane Dodds MS, the Chair of the Cross Party Group,
“We believe that children’s rights should be non-negotiable – and Bil Pob Plentyn is how we make that a reality.”
Deborah Jones, the CEO of Voices from Care Cymru, said:
“The proposal is grounded in the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to which Wales is already committed. However, Bil Pob Plentyn would ensure these rights are not just aspirational, but fully enforceable.
The campaign is now calling on supporters across Wales – from individuals and families to schools and organisations – to back the proposal and urge their Members of the Senedd to act.”
Neil Davies, Safe Families and Home for Good staff member shared: "It was such a privilege to be at the Senedd launch of Bil Pob Plentyn today. The message at the press briefing was very simple, the implementation of this legislative proposal by the next Welsh Government will strengthen the rights of children and young people in Wales. So the task ahead of the next election in 2026 for us all is to talk with our MS about this proposal and ask them what their view on Children's Rights and Child Poverty are."
At Safe Families and Home for Good, we are excited to be a part of this legislative proposal, that we believe will bring about change to see more children and families flourish in Wales.
If adopted, Bil Pob Plentyn could mark a major shift in how Wales protects and empowers its youngest citizens by embedding children's rights into the fabric of public policy and accountability.
