15/10/2020 Rethinking Wales: Social Care after Covid-19

Institute of Welsh Affairs

An open, politically independent and inclusive space for discussion and debate is the best way to identify the challenges we face in Wales because of Covid-19, and work out where the opportunities for real change are.

We are well placed to bring those voices together, and the IWA #RethinkingWales series (supported by the Carnegie UK Trust) will explore how different sectors need to respond to this crisis and how we need to start thinking differently.

Often deemed a ‘forgotten’ sector, Covid-19 has brought social care to national attention. It has exposed the heroic sacrifices of care workers as well as structural deficiencies, and has challenged policy makers to create a more stable future for the sector.

In this session we will explore:

• The experiences of Covid-19, in terms of the capacity of the sector, its growing prestige and its relationships with local authorities and Health Boards;
• The issue of resources and how to fund a sustainable system for an ageing population;
• What policy makers can do to learn the lessons of Covid-19.

Panellists:

• Maria Bell is Head of Policy for the National Commissioning Board for social care at the Welsh Local Government Association.
• Adrian Roper is the Chief Executive of Cartrefi Cymru, a cooperative learning disability support provider.
• Glyn Williams is the owner and manager of Gwyddfor Care Home in Anglesey.
• Rachel Williams is a Senior Family Worker as part of the Flying Start team in Anglesey, and is an Ambassador for Social Care Wales’ ‘We Care’ campaign to promote recruitment.
  

This is an hour long panel discussion on Zoom chaired by the IWA's Dr Jack Watkins, and attendees are able to engage in debate and ask questions on the live chat.