A few weeks ago, Care Inspectorate Wales’s Chief Inspector published her annual report for 2024 to 2025, revealing that most of the care provided in Wales is good.
The Inspectorate register, inspect and take action to improve the quality of social care, early years and childcare services.
According to the report, 84 per cent of adult social care services, 78 per cent of children’s services and 80 per cent of childcare and play services were rated ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.
The findings are hugely positive, but I wasn’t surprised because we already know from our work that most care provided in Wales is good.
There is a strong commitment to improving services, and we recently worked with Care Inspectorate Wales to further strengthen services with a positive cultures guide.
Our annual survey of the social care workforce shows that most people who work in care join the profession because they want to make a positive difference to people’s lives.
The majority of care workers in Wales do their jobs well and are committed to what matters to individuals.
All registered social care workers must meet the standards set out in a Code of Professional Practice.
Where workers aren’t meeting the standards expected of them, we can take action to protect the public and uphold the integrity of the profession. Anyone can raise a concern about a registered worker by emailing us at ftp@socialcare.wales
In those rare instances where a concern is raised about a worker, our fitness to practise team will carry out an investigation and, where necessary, issue a warning or make recommendations for improvement.
The most serious cases will be taken forward to a hearing, where an independent panel will decide if they’re fit to continue working in care.
Last year 40 people were removed from the Register. They made up just 0.06 per cent of those registered with us.
I want to be clear only a few care workers will ever be referred to our fitness to practise team.
The vast majority of care workers show a strong commitment to meeting the standards expected of them and to providing high quality care to the children, adults and families they support.
My thanks go to all the care workers in Wales who work tirelessly to make sure the children, adults and families in our communities are safe and supported.
Your commitment and dedication to your profession is appreciated and valued.
We’re currently seeking nominations for our Accolades awards that recognise, celebrate and share notable work in social care, social work and childcare, play and early years in Wales. You can nominate a worker here.