next steps to develop these priorities further. The advice and recommendations have been developed by the Social Care Wales Improvement Sub-Group and subsequently through consultation with the sector. A full report of the outcome of engagement activity is also provided ((Developing Improvement Priorities for Social Care Wales Outcome of engagement activity). Social Care Wales Improvement Sub-group In March 2015, the then Minister for Health and Social Services announced the establishment of a Transition to Social Care Wales Advisory Panel. Chaired by Arwel Ellis Owen, the Panel was tasked to develop by March 2016 a transition plan. The Advisory Panel established a number of sub groups to support its work, including in September 2015 a sub-group to consider the improvement function of Social Care Wales building on the work previously undertaken by the Strategic Improvement Steering Group (SISG). The sub group reported back to the Panel in December 2015, and its findings are summarized below. These formed part of the Panel’s report to the Minister in March 2016. The Minister confirmed his acceptance of the Panel’s report and recommendations in April 2016, via a Written Statement. SCW values The sub-group made a number of wide ranging recommendations about the improvement functions of SCW. Firstly, it highlighted the importance of SCW setting out the values and principles under which it will operate across the range of its functions. In respect of improvement, these values needed to include: Improving well-being - the overall ambition of SCW should be to contribute to improving the well-being of people in Wales. This means improving the quality of services but should also encompass improving the efficiency with which good services are delivered. SCW should ensure as far as possible that its activity is aligned with the well-being statements produced by Welsh Ministers the focus of all improvement work must be Outcome focused – on securing improved outcomes for citizens and its work should cover the whole of the social care sector Focusing on the evidence - SCW should be an evidence-based organisation. This means seeking and confirming agreement on what 'good' looks like, that what works should continue, and that only evidence based best practice should be promoted. It will also need to recognise that where evidence is not clear-cut, and in such circumstances should work to strong hypotheses about what works based on the best available evidence. However, SCW should also be an organisation prepared to support innovation, and to take (or
next steps to develop these priorities further. The advice and recommendations have been developed by the Social Care Wales Improvement Sub-Group and subsequently through consultation with the sector. A full report of the outcome of engagement activity is also provided ((Developing Improvement Priorities for Social Care Wales Outcome of engagement activity). Social Care Wales Improvement Sub-group In March 2015, the then Minister for Health and Social Services announced the establishment of a Transition to Social Care Wales Advisory Panel. Chaired by Arwel Ellis Owen, the Panel was tasked to develop by March 2016 a transition plan. The Advisory Panel established a number of sub groups to support its work, including in September 2015 a sub-group to consider the improvement function of Social Care Wales building on the work previously undertaken by the Strategic Improvement Steering Group (SISG). The sub group reported back to the Panel in December 2015, and its findings are summarized below. These formed part of the Panel’s report to the Minister in March 2016. The Minister confirmed his acceptance of the Panel’s report and recommendations in April 2016, via a Written Statement. SCW values The sub-group made a number of wide ranging recommendations about the improvement functions of SCW. Firstly, it highlighted the importance of SCW setting out the values and principles under which it will operate across the range of its functions. In respect of improvement, these values needed to include: Improving well-being - the overall ambition of SCW should be to contribute to improving the well-being of people in Wales. This means improving the quality of services but should also encompass improving the efficiency with which good services are delivered. SCW should ensure as far as possible that its activity is aligned with the well-being statements produced by Welsh Ministers Outcome focused – the focus of all improvement work must be on securing improved outcomes for citizens and its work should cover the whole of the social care sector Focusing on the evidence - SCW should be an evidence-based organisation. This means seeking and confirming agreement on what 'good' looks like, that what works should continue, and that only evidence based best practice should be promoted. It will also need to recognise that where evidence is not clear-cut, and in such circumstances should work to strong hypotheses about what works based on the best available evidence. However, SCW should also be an organisation prepared to support innovation, and to take (or
SCW-improvement-summary-report.docx