Given the unprecedented situation we all find ourselves in, I wanted to provide an update on actions we are taking to:
- help frontline workers focus on supporting people at a time when they need it most
- make sure we can still provide a good service to all the people we work with
- keep our own staff safe.
This means from today:
- all our staff will be working from home
- our offices in Cardiff and St Asaph will not be open to visitors until further notice
- we will continue to provide our registration services, but our response may be a little slower than usual. We will be able to take enquiries via email – please send them to enquires@socialcare.wales
- we won’t remove anyone from the Register during this emergency, except where we believe there is a risk to the public or if the individual asks to be removed.
- we will extend the six-month grace period that social care workers have before they have to register with us to a year
- we will, where it’s safe, postpone fitness to practise final hearings. However, we will continue to take forward cases where we believe people pose a risk, and if necessary, suspend them from working in the sector
- we are postponing any events planned over the next few months. We will contact you again when we have agreed new dates for these events, once the situation has passed or has significantly improved.
We aim to provide as normal a service as possible but there will be a reduction in the speed of our response as we make the change to our new way of working.
Our services will be reviewed and updated as the Welsh and UK Governments make new announcements to make sure we are responding in the best way to what is a fast-moving situation.
More information about Coronavirus and our work: what you need to know.
People will rely on the care, kindness and skill of the care workforce over the challenging period ahead and I want to thank everyone working on, and supporting, the frontline for their professionalism and dedication at this unprecedented time. At Social Care Wales, we will continue to do all we can to support the workforce during this difficult time and help them focus on caring for and supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
In the meantime, stay safe.
Sue Evans, Chief Executive
Social Care Wales.