Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
I thought it would be useful to outline the implications of a change in the law.
This change means all physical punishment of children will be illegal in Wales, including by parents, carers and anyone acting in loco parentis in any setting in Wales.
What has changed?
The Act came into force on 21 March 2022. It abolishes a defence of “reasonable punishment” in the existing criminal offences of assault and battery against a child.
What does this mean for families?
Physical punishment includes smacking, hitting, slapping, shaking or otherwise punishing a child using physical force.
For schools
It has been illegal in schools, children’s homes, local authority foster care homes and childcare settings for some time.
The change means all physical punishment of children will be illegal in Wales, including by parents, carers and anyone acting in loco parentis in any setting in Wales.