Social Care News

Social services minister on Inspection & Regulation bill in Wales: 'We have learned lessons from care scandals'

Deputy minister for social services, Gwenda Thomas (pictured), has said today that she believes the new Regulation and Inspection Bill, to be introduced in the National Assembly in early 2015, will strengthen the protection for and further improve the quality of care and support available in Wales.

She said that the forthcoming Bill takes into account the lessons learned from scandals such as those at Winterbourne View, which saw six care workers given prison sentences for abusing residents, the Mid Staffordshire Trust public inquiry, Southern Cross Orchid View care home serious case review and other cases.

Speaking during a visit to a care home in Aberavon today (September 9), the minister said: "Regulation of social care has been a success story in Wales – it has delivered real benefits for those who rely on our care homes and social care services but we are not complacent. Our new approach is a strong, robust policy that builds on this success to ensure the safeguarding of all people with a care and support need and the promotion of well-being."

She said that next year's Regulation and Inspection Bill will "improve the system even further. Regulation and inspection will be built around people’s well-being and the outcomes people want."

She added: "Our new Bill has been developed in line with the changes made to the foundation of social services through our Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act, and recognising the lessons learnt from serious incidents such as Southern Cross, Mid Staffs, Winterbourne and other cases."

“That’s why we need to ensure our regulation regime reflects modern practice and the ever changing world of social care. I’m confident the changes we are making will deliver that.”

Read the full story on the Welsh Government website: care homes keeping people safe