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October 2022
Newsletter
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We have published our Chief Inspector’s annual report 2021-22
Our annual report highlights the continued impact of the pandemic on the social care and childcare and play workforce across Wales.
The past two years have been an incredibly difficult time for many, said Chief Inspector Gillian Baranski.
The Chief Inspector praised the “incredible skill and tenacity” of the social care and childcare and play workforce, who work tirelessly as they face challenges which the pandemic exacerbated.
But, she warned, current pressures in the system, along with the cost-of-living crisis, threaten to undo the good work seen during the pandemic when there was a real sense of agencies pulling together in partnership to support people.
“Examples of poor care are thankfully rare, and our inspectors commonly find compassionate and dedicated staff, determined to deliver the highest levels of care to the people they care for,” said the Chief Inspector.
“Rest assured, where we do find poor care, we will, and do, take action.”
The report highlights the crisis in recruitment and retention of social care workers: “Workforce recruitment and retention in social care is at crisis point. If this is not addressed at a national level, local authorities and social care providers risk not meeting their statutory and regulatory duties.”
Findings from our Chief Inspector’s annual report are available on our website.
Also published today is data relating to the care services and places we regulate, as at 31 March 2022.
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Annual Returns deadline soon!
Annual Returns are now available for Responsible Individuals for adults and children’s services to complete using their CIW Online account.
The deadline for submission is 31 October 2022.
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Childcare and play providers do not have to complete Annual Returns, as well as some other types of services. Check this page on our website for full details.
Providers will be required to submit short Annual Returns to cover each of the periods 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22, depending on year of registration.
A online demo of the Annual Returns system, and PowerPoint slides from our previous provider events are available on our website.
Providers no longer required to report individual cases of COVID-19
As with other infectious diseases, you will only be required to report when an outbreak of COVID-19 has occurred. An outbreak is classified as two or more.
How to notify us
Please continue to notify us about any changes or incidents at your service using CIW Online. To notify us of an outbreak of COVID-19, you must use the ‘outbreak of infectious disease’ online notification. Please see our notifications guidance if you require further assistance.
You no longer need to submit a temporary closure notification due to COVID-19.
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Joint storybook published to help children understand inspection
The book “Our Nursery” (Ein Meithrin Ni) was read aloud to children at Ysgol Feithrin Pontypwl by the Chief Inspectors of Estyn and Care Inspectorate Wales on 29 September 2022.
Written by the Welsh novelist, Manon Steffan Ros, and illustrated by Paul Nicholls, the book reassures children that the visit is a normal day and inspectors are friendly and looking forward to speaking with them.
The launch took place at Ysgol Feithrin Pontypwl as the setting was found to be an example of effective practice in the way it put outside play at the heart of learning, during its last inspection in March.
Along with Estyn, we jointly inspect some childcare and play services in Wales, to reduce the burden on providers during inspection. This is to support practitioners and children through the inspection process, as well as sharing best practice.
A digital copy of the storybook can be found on our website.
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The Active Offer
Everyone who works in social care and childcare can make a difference by asking themselves “what can I do to help improve Welsh language provision?” and make that journey as smooth as possible. Small changes can make a big difference.
“Mwy na geiriau” or “More than just words” Strategic Framework for Promoting the Welsh Language in Health and Social Care’
is Welsh Government’s framework for promoting the Welsh language in health and social care, published in 2016.
Receiving services in Welsh is an integral component of good quality rights based and person-centred care. Adoption and delivery of “More than just words” in social care and childcare services should help improve the quality of care for people living in a bilingual country.
A key element of “More than just words” is the Active Offer. This means a service is provided in Welsh without someone having to ask for it. It is the responsibility of everyone who provides care services for people and their families across Wales to deliver the ‘Active offer’.
This doesn’t mean everyone has to be fluent in Welsh. Being able to say a few words in Welsh (dipyn bach yn y Gymraeg) can go a long way – they can include words of comfort or offering a “paned” (cup of tea).
It doesn’t matter how many words of Welsh you have – what matters is that you use it. And even if you don’t speak Welsh, a little bit of understanding about the needs of Welsh speakers can go a long way.
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Here are some examples.
- All Welsh-speaking staff in your organisation should wear a ‘Working Welsh’ or ‘Learning Welsh’ pin badge or lanyard.
- Make sure that all signs are in both Welsh and English and displayed with Welsh on the left, English on the right, or Welsh on top and English below.
- All information which is public facing should be bilingual.
- Make sure your staff know the importance of having bilingual menus, to ensure people who use the service and speak Welsh are making an informed meal choice.
- Provide ‘themed’ experiences for the people who use your service.
There are more ideas here: Active offer information pack – Social Services and Social Care part 2 english
For those interested, an independent evaluation of the impact of “More than just words” was published in 2021 and an updated action plan has been produced with actions for all health and social organisations.
If you are already providing the Active Offer, please consider if you provide support to other providers, and share examples of what you do with us.
Upcoming events
We will have representatives at the following events
Next steps for social care in Wales - Our Chief Inspector will be speaking at this seminar, which will look at the development of social care in Wales, as well as the next steps for plans to establish a National Care Service for Wales.
Care Roadshow - Our Deputy Chief Inspector will be speaking from a regulator's perspective on achieving positive outcomes for people and learnings from our work.
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Events for registered providers
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We are going to be hosting our regular provider events at the end of November/beginning of December.
As usual we'll have separate events for childcare & play, and for adults & children's services.
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If you run a service which is registered under the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act, please "hold the date" for our events which will take place on the following days:
- 1 December, 10am-12noon
- 6 December, 10am-12noon - Welsh language session
- 6 December, 3-5pm
The dates for our childcare & play events will be finalised shortly.
We will contact providers directly with more information soon!
Publications
The following publications are now available on our website.
Welsh Government and other news
Public Health Wales training for care home managers and staff
Following Public Health Wales’ care home manager study day, providers can now access video recordings, interactive content, and useful information and tools online.
There is an evaluation form at the end of the module to provide your thoughts and feedback to PHW. If you have any questions, email PHW.TGT@wales.nhs.uk.
Reducing Restrictive Practices Framework (RRPF) Update: Guidance on reducing restrictive practices in childcare, education, health and social care settings
Welsh Ministers have approved amendments to this guidance on reducing restrictive practices in childcare, education, health and social care settings.
This includes advice about responsible procurement and tips in relation to use of secure transport.
CareHomes.Wales has been launched
 At the ADSS Cymru National Social Care conference, Deputy Minister, Julie Morgan MS, officially launched the CareHomes.Wales website.
This website contains information about every adult care homes in Wales, drawing information from both Care Inspectorate Wales and directly from care home providers.
If you are a care home provider, CareHomes.Wales allows you to market your care home across Wales and beyond. There is no charge, and your basic information is automatically updated using information from your CIW registration. You can enhance your entry with photographs and details of the facilities you provide.
Cyber security: useful links
Following recent events such as the cyber-attack on a provider of the NHS 111 non-emergency service provider, Advanced, it is extremely important that cyber resilience measures right across Wales are improved.
The following resources are recommended by the National Cyber Security Centre.
Small & medium sized organisations - NCSC.GOV.UK Cyber security advice for businesses, charities, clubs and schools with up to 250 employees
Cyber Security Guidance - Digital Social Care
Exercise in a Box - NCSC.GOV.UK An online tool which helps organisations find out how resilient they are to cyber attacks and practise their response in a safe environment. Webinar will be run on this.
Readiness | (iasme.co.uk) Cyber Essentials is an effective, government-backed scheme that will help you to protect your organisation, whatever its size, against a whole range of the most common cyber attacks.
Password managers: using browsers and apps to safely store... - NCSC.GOV.UK Top tips for staying secure online.
Keep up to date
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