Written question WQ97084

The Welsh Government collaborates closely with the care sector and Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) to drive improvements wherever concerns are identified. CIW is actively involved in sector-wide initiatives and regular meetings take place between the Chief Inspector and the Chief Social Care Officer for Wales to ensure continuous oversight and effective partnership.

Care Inspectorate Wales operates a graduated approach to secure improvement where issues are highlighted in individual care services. This includes highlighting areas for improvement in inspection reports and undertaking early inspections to ensure improvements have been made and sustained. Where improvements are not made the inspectorate may use its enforcement powers to restrict the provider’s operations or ultimately, prevent the provider from operating altogether.

The Welsh Government and CIW also work with providers more broadly by sharing best practice and holding regular meetings to discuss common themes and lessons from inspections. CIW engages with Directors of Social Services across Wales, as well as with Heads of Adult and Children’s Services, to consider progress in addressing areas for improvement at the local authority level and will include areas for improvement found in inspections.

Welsh Government work with the care sector on both a strategic and practical level, working in partnership with CIW and a range of other stakeholders to address specific areas of improvement, sharing good practice and driving consistency in national standards. These combined approaches, together with the vision for the National Office for Care and Support, aim to raise the quality of care and improve outcomes for people across Wales.