Care Council for Wales: Minister backs campaign

The Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas AM, today endorsed the Care Council for Wales' Confidence in Care campaign to raise awareness of the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers at the ADSS/WLGA Conference in Llandudno.

The Minister was joined by students from Llandrillo College who have been studying the Codes as part of their NVQ in Health and Social Care, including the childcare pathway, in preparation for a career in the social care sector. Backing the Codes, the Deputy Minister said; "There is much to be proud of in terms of social services and social care. There is a record of steady progress and improvement with some excellent services being greatly valued by those who use them.

"But there are things we must address in strengthening our services and this campaign is an invaluable opportunity to raise the profile of social care in Wales and to enhance the image of social care workers and recognise the valuable work they do, while also making the Code of Practice meaningful and relevant to people who use social care services."

Gerry Evans, Director of Standards and Regulation at the Care Council commented, "Regulation of the social care workforce is essential to enhance public protection for service users and to ultimately increase public confidence in the social care sector. The Code of Practice is a key part of regulating the profession, and it's important that those receiving services in Wales are aware of its content and implications and that they, and the general public, understand the high standards to which social care professionals in Wales operate."

The Wales-wide campaign has seen posters and flyers about the Code of Practice distributed through charities, voluntary organisations, social services departments, GPs surgeries and libraries. The materials were developed through consultation with service users and carers and are supported by an information pack and DVD.

Published in 2002, the Code of Practice is an agreed set of national standards which sets out the standards of behaviour expected of social care workers, ensuring that workers know what is expected of them and service users, carers and the public know what they can expect from the profession.

The Care Council is responsible for registering those working in the social care sector in Wales, and the register is a public record that they have met the requirements for entry onto the Register and have agreed to abide by the standards set out in the Code of Practice.


ENDS

For further information please contact Charmine Smikle on 029 2078 0626 or email charmine.smikle@ccwales.org.uk