Julie Morgan MS, Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Today marks the publication of two reports –‘Process evaluation – Summary report ’ and ‘Process evaluation – Easy Read’ – which have been commissioned as part of the evaluation of the implementation of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (the Act).
To date, the evaluation has provided real insight in to how the Act has been implemented at a national, regional and local level. It has also provided crucial evidence of what has worked well with regard to the implementation of the Act and what work still needs to continue.
I particularly welcome the positive examples of people’s experiences of the implementation of the legislation which are included within the reports; however, the implementation of the Act marked the start of a journey of change across the whole of the social care sector in Wales, and this work must be maintained and continue. This is critical due to the significant impact that Covid 19 has had and continues to have on our social care provision across Wales. Understanding this impact is vital. In order to achieve this, I have asked that the evaluation project is extended by 12 months so that we explore the impact this has had on the implementation of the Act and the impact that it has had on people who need care and support and unpaid carers who need support.
Evaluation on this scale is vital so that we can all understand the impact that our policy and legislation has on the most vulnerable members of our society. We all have a part to play in ensuring that our legislation is embedded into practice to ensure that all people and carers who are supported by social care have the highest quality experience.
I would like to extend my thanks to all who have been involved in the evaluation to date. It is a significant piece of work as it is crucial for us to understand how our legislation is working so that we are able to continue to improve social care in Wales and fully support the well-being of all people across Wales who need care and support and all unpaid carers who need support so that they are able to achieve the outcomes that matter most to them.