National Advisory Board Meeting Minutes – 5 February 2025

Welcome and apologies

Chair, Dr Ruth Hussey, welcomed members to the meeting.

Attendees

• Dr Ruth Hussey (Chair),
• Gillian Baranski (Chief Inspector, Care Inspectorate Wales),
• Kevin Barker (Deputy Chief Inspector, Care Inspectorate Wales),
• Órlaith Brennan (Provider – Domiciliary Support Service),
• Kate Cubbage (Carers Trust),
• Stuart Davies (Provider – Domiciliary Support Services),
• Sarah Jayne Evans (Head of Registration and Enforcement, Care Inspectorate Wales),
• Natalie Fletcher (Provider – Children’s Care Home),
• Cerys Gage (Secretariat, Care Inspectorate Wales),
• Rachel Harris (Provider – Full day Care),
• Annette Hennessey (Secretariat, Care Inspectorate Wales),
• Julie Heal (Head of Adult and Children’s Services),
• Ceri Herbert (Head of Childcare and Play, Care Inspectorate Wales),
• Peter Max (Provider – Residential Care),
• Melanie Minty (Care Forum Wales),
• Vicky Poole (Strategic Support, Care Inspectorate Wales),
• Claire Protheroe (CWLWM),
• Margaret Rooney (Deputy Chief Inspector, Care Inspectorate Wales),
• Alyson Thomas (Llais), Sharon Williams (care home manager),
• Elizabeth Wallwork (Staff representative, Care Inspectorate Wales),
• Jenny Williams (ADSS Cymru).   

Apologies

• Lou Bushell-Bauers (Head of Local Authority, Care Inspectorate Wales),
• Valerie Billingham (office of the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales),
• Melanie Davies (Carer, Adults Services),
• Carole Jones (Carer and Service User),
• Bethan Louise Kay (Local Authority Early Years Officer and service user of childcare services),
• Rachel Thomas (office of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales).

Actions from previous Minutes – 6 June 2024

• Minutes from the last meeting were agreed.
• Members noted two actions remain in progress.

1 Updates and priorities

Gillian Baranski discussed the priorities for the new year, including the publication of ratings for adult and children’s services starting 1 April 2025.

The strategic plan was also highlighted as a significant focus.

2 Review the Terms of Reference for the Board

• The Board agree some minor amendments and updates to the Terms of Reference
• The Board requested the following additions:
  • That conflicts of interests are reviewed on an annual basis.
  • PACEY be amended to Cwlwm.

3 Voices from members

3.1 Ratings and implications of recent news re. English inspectorates

• There was a discussion about the recent news coverage of Ofsted and their work on ratings and CQC performance.
• Kevin Barker emphasised ratings should be part of a range of work to provide assurance about the quality and safety of services.

3.2 Impact of National Insurance contributions

• There was a discussion about the financial pressures on the care sector, including the impact of National Insurance contributions and the cost-of-living crisis. Melanie Minty and Claire Protheroe highlighted the challenges faced by social care services and the childcare sector.

4 Ratings implementation

Vicky Poole provided an update on the implementation of ratings for adult and children's services, set to be published from 1 April. The importance of clear communication and engagement with stakeholders was emphasised.

• Silent ratings have been running for the last 18 months, and after an independent evaluation, preparations are being made to implement published ratings from 1 April 2025.
• Stakeholder Involvement: A stakeholder reference group with over 132 members was set up, including commissioners, providers, and organisations representing service users. Three task and finish groups were also formed to focus on awarding and describing ratings, communications and engagement, and learning and development.
• Challenges in engagement: One of the main challenges has been getting feedback from the general public and service users about ratings and inspection reports. Efforts have been made to engage with carers (including civil servants) to gather their views.
• Communication efforts: Regular updates have been provided in provider bulletins, and events have been held for providers and commissioners. A project page has been set up on the website to keep stakeholders informed.
• Benefits of ratings: Ratings are seen as beneficial for the public by providing clarity and helping them choose services with confidence. For providers, ratings can spotlight success and support continuous improvement.
• Rating descriptors: The rating terms have been revised to "Excellent," "Good," "Requires Improvement," and "Requires Significant Improvement" to better reflect the capacity for improvement.
• Inspection framework: The inspection framework has been revised, with a focus on well-being and detailed descriptors for each line of inquiry. The summary of inspection reports will be improved to provide more context about the service.
• All non-urgent inspections will be put on hold during March in order for Adult and Children inspection teams to concentrate on this important change.

5 Performance data

Margaret presented the performance data, highlighting the number of inspections, concerns, and notifications. Challenges related to staffing and the impact on inspection timelines were discussed.

• Action: CIW to continue efforts to fill vacancies and manage inspection schedules effectively.

6 Strategic plan

Vicky Poole shared the draft strategic plan for 2025 and beyond which focuses on three key ambitions: Assure, Improve, and Influence. The importance of measuring impact and the challenges associated with it were highlighted. The plan includes actions for the next two years and aims to increase visibility and influence.

7 Comments from the Board

7.1 Data sharing and AI

• Discussion: The potential for using AI to improve efficiency and data sharing was discussed. The importance of ensuring that digitalisation efforts are progressive and beneficial was highlighted.
• The importance of safeguarding and ensuring positive outcomes for people using services was reiterated throughout strategic plan.
• Action: CIW to explore further use of AI and digital tools to streamline processes and enhance data sharing.

8 Any other business

• The strategic plan will be launched by the Minister for Children and Social Care on April 30th at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay, with key partners in attendance.
• Action: CIW to send out invitations to all NAB members and finalise arrangements for the launch event.

Action items

• Follow-up on concerns process: Review and consider the communication process with providers at the end of the concerns process to ensure clarity and completeness.
• New CIW Heads of Team - introduction: Create and distribute a document with photos and brief histories of the new team members to stakeholders.
• Strategic plan feedback: Incorporate feedback on the strategic plan, specifically ensuring safeguarding is a golden thread throughout the document.
• Digital strategy: Expand the description of digitalisation in the strategic plan to include the exploration and use of artificial intelligence.
• Ratings publication request: Send a copy of the letter to Welsh Government requesting a delay in the publication of ratings for another 12 months – Mel Minty
• Annual review of conflicts of interest: Implement an annual review process for conflicts of interest for all members.
• Survey results sharing: Share the results of the Member survey from a Welsh perspective with CIW. (Claire Protheroe)