Care Inspectorate Wales and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales conclude assurance check of Conwy learning disability services
The inspection, which took place between 9 and 11 February 2026, assessed the local authority's social services and health board's performance in exercising their statutory duties and functions.
We have recently completed an assurance check with Healthcare Inspectorate Wales of Conwy County Borough Council's Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT) and the Learning Disabilities Directorate within Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
Key improvements identified
Our inspection found that most people receive person-centred, strength-based support that reflects what matters to them. Practitioners use a wide range of accessible communication approaches, such as pictorial aids, to support people to express their views and participate in decisions about their lives.
Trusting relationships between people and practitioners are supported by an all-age service model, helping maintain continuity across life stages.
Advocacy arrangements provide effective support for people who need help to understand and exercise their rights, with Independent Mental Capacity Advocates and Relevant Person's Representatives used appropriately.
A strong Welsh-speaking workforce enables people to choose to communicate in their preferred language, supporting effective assessments and reviews.
The workforce is experienced and well-trained, with practitioners consistently reporting that Conwy County Borough Council and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board are good places to work.
Conwy is a named IMPACT demonstrator for increasing employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities, implementing inclusive recruitment and employment initiatives that promote independence and reduce reliance on statutory services.
Areas requiring further development
Whilst recognising these strengths, our inspection identified some areas where further progress is needed.
The local authority and health board must ensure feedback mechanisms are accessible, systematically analysed and clearly responded to.
The local authority must ensure care and support plan reviews are completed in line with statutory requirements, so people's needs are reviewed at least annually, or sooner when circumstances change.
The local authority must ensure Community Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) reviews are carried out promptly so people's rights, voice, and involvement in decisions about their care and support are protected.
The local authority and health board must strengthen joint oversight of Mental Capacity Act arrangements to ensure statutory requirements are consistently met and clearly recorded.
Leaders must ensure reliable access to preventative health interventions, including annual health checks and dental and primary care.
The local authority and health board should strengthen their shared approach to risk assessment and risk formulation, to ensure risks are consistently agreed, recorded, and reviewed together.
Next steps
We expect the local authority and health board to consider the areas identified for improvement and take appropriate action to address them.
CIW will monitor progress through our ongoing performance review activity. Where relevant, we expect the local authority to share the positive practice identified with other local authorities to help drive continuous improvement in statutory services throughout Wales.
HIW will monitor progress against the health-related improvements via completion of an Improvement Plan, which will detail the findings and agreed improvement actions with responsible officers and timescales.