March 2024
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This conference focused on priorities for social care provision and the outlook for the establishment of a National Care and Support Service in Wales.
It was an opportunity to assess next steps and implications for stakeholders and service provision, alongside aims for social care to become free at the point of need.
The discussion followed the Welsh Government’s consultation on proposals linked to its Rebalancing Care and Support Programme, which includes:
- the creation of a National Framework for the commissioning of care and support
- strengthening Regional Partnership Board arrangements and improving service integration
The conference brought stakeholders together with policymakers to assess the potential impact of proposals, practical next steps for service development, and the way forward for realising wider improvements to the quality of care and public delivery of social care and wellbeing services.
Delegates discussed strategies for strengthening the collaborative work between local authorities and the NHS, options for increasing community-conducted care and relieving pressures on hospitals, following the Government’s consultation.
There was also discussion on the implementation of a proposed National Office for Care and Support within the Welsh Government, which would look at the development and implementation of the National Care Service, alongside supporting the Chief Social Care Officer.
The agenda looked at priorities for the social care workforce, including strategies for tackling recruitment and retention challenges, options for improving working conditions, funding and investment, and priorities for achieving value for money and improving the quality of care.
Further sessions looked at priorities for innovation and new approaches to the delivery of social care and support, alongside case studies in best practice, and what can be learned from the development of national social care services in other jurisdictions.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Kate Young, Director, All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers; JohnPaul Liddle, Deputy Director, National Care Service Development and Delivery, The Scottish Government; and Mark Turner, Lead for Social Care, UNISON Cymru.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from the Welsh Government; DHSC; UKSA; DWP; and HMPPS.
