Senedd Member’s concern about the prevalence and impact of allegations of Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in Wales
North Wales Member of the Senedd and Chair its Cross-Party Autism Group, Mark Isherwood, has raised concerns with the Minister for Health and Social Services that parents of neurodiverse children in North-East Wales have been, and continue to be, impacted by wrongful allegations of Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII).
Speaking at a meeting of the Welsh Parliament on the 20 March, Mr Isherwood referred to the Leeds University Research Report on “The prevalence and impact of allegations of Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII)”, and asked the Minister, Eluned Morgan MS, how the Welsh Government will ensure the report’s messages are understood by Local Authority Children’s Services, Schools and NHS practitioners across Wales.
He said
“The research indicates that wrongful allegations of FII are at least as prevalent in Wales as they are in England and Scotland. It also highlights the devastating impact that an FII allegation can have on the whole family, including the children who are alleged to be in need of protection, and that this has been a particular concern for Autistic parents and Autistic children, with Mothers of Autistic children 100 times more likely to be investigated for FII by Children’s Services.
“How will the Welsh Government ensure that this Report’s messages are understood by Local Authority Children’s Services, Schools and NHS practitioners across Wales, when I continue to be contacted by Autistic Mothers of neurodiverse children in North-East Wales who have been, and continue to be, subjected to FII allegations and threatened with safeguarding proceedings?”
In response the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, asked for a copy of the report in order to look at it in detail, and said
“I do think that what we have to consider when it comes to children is, always, how we put their safety and their equality first, and we have to look at it through the eyes of the child. So, that’s the general approach that we take in the Welsh Government, but I will ask my officials to have a look at that report, just to see if there is anything in there we can follow up.”
- A copy of Mark Isherwood’s Press Release can be accessed by clicking here.
- A copy of the Senedd report can be accessed by clicking here.
- A copy of the Leeds University Research Report can be accessed by clicking here.
Photograph of Cwch Nantlle Richard Jones -@lluniaurich
Posted 25 March 2024.