Dawn Bowden MS, Minister for Social Care
Members will be aware of the long-term work the Welsh Government is undertaking to achieve our ambition of National Care Service as part of the Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru. My predecessor, Julie Morgan, the former Deputy Minister for Social Services published written statements in December 2023 and March 2024 about progress.
Today, I am providing a further update about the creation of a National Office for Care and Support, which is part of the first phase of the implementation towards a National Care Service.
The office is now operational and focused on three core areas, in addition to taking an outward facing, collaborative approach.:
- Supporting the Chief Social Care Officer for Wales
- The development, implementation, and ongoing delivery of the National Care Service for Wales
- Implementation and ongoing management of the National Framework for Commissioning Care and Support.
The national office will provide a central guiding hand to the sector by driving improvement in the national delivery of social care in Wales to achieve collaboration, better and more equitable outcomes, access, and service-user experience.
It will also build on progress already made in improving collation of social care data and outcomes, developing a clearer picture of the delivery of services informed by research evidence, and support the Chief Social Care Officer in championing a stronger voice for the sector.
It will play an essential role in the integration of health, social care, and early years, working closely with the NHS Wales Executive to ensure Wales’ health and social care systems are fit for the future and achieving the vision set out in A Healthier Wales of a whole-system approach.