CCW: Social Care Service Users and Carers Have Their Say

Care Council for Wales logo for press releases

Wednesday, 06, Feb 2008 12:00

The Care Council for Wales held a workshop at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, Wrexham on Tuesday 5 February 2008 where nearly seventy social care service users, carers and workers as individuals or as representatives of networks and organisations, had the chance to be part of a discussion and debate, exploring the work of the Care Council for Wales.

As well as discussions around how the Care Council for Wales should move forward with their agenda of ensuring that service users and carers influence all areas of their work, the day also offered opportunity to further encourage the engagement of these groups in the Care Council’s work through a programme of presentations, video clips and workshop groups.

Throughout the day people were invited to feedback on general and specific areas of the Care Council’s work.

The Care Council’s Service User and Carer Participation Strategy, published in 2007 provides the vision, framework and priorities for service user and carer participation over the following three years. It ensures that those who use social care services influence all areas of the Care Council’s work, including how social care workers are regulated and the training and development of standards for the social care workforce.

The Care Council’s Chair, Mutale Nyoni, stated: “This event has been an excellent opportunity for giving service users and carers their say on issues that shape their everyday lives. It once again highlights the emphasis the Care Council puts on ensuring that service users and carers’ needs are at the heart of our agenda and that their input helps to shape and govern our work. This is done by not only asking for feedback on our current projects and policies but also welcoming any points they want us to address in the future in open discussion.”

For further information on the above please contact Heledd Gwyndaf on 029 2078 0634 or email heledd.gwyndaf@ccwales.org.uk

- Ends -

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

The Service User and Carer Participation Strategy has been informed by extensive consultation with service users and carers across Wales and the development process was steered throughout by the Service User and Carer Reference Group.

Amongst the topics covered on the day were explaining the role of the Care Council and the importance of service user and carer involvement in our work; providing updates on Care Council projects that directly affect service users and carers; ensuring awareness of the Codes of Practice; giving a progress update on our Participation Strategy; sharing future work plans for the next year.