2011

The four bodies - Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW), Estyn, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) and the Wales Audit Office (WAO) are also launching a joint paper on inspection, audit and regulation.

The paper, Developing Our Work Together in a Climate of Change, outlines how the four organisations are making progress and moving forward together to deliver improvements.
The paper recognises the strength and benefits of collaboration to date and notes some recent developments. These include the appointment of joint project staff to support the development of joint working between the four organisations, and strengthening information and data-sharing processes.

The strategic agreement demonstrates the commitment of the inspection, audit and regulation bodies to further develop the joint working arrangements already in place and to collaborate more effectively and efficiently in the future.

The agreement is part of a framework of joint working activities that is being developed by the four organisations. The aims of this work are to support better co-ordination of external review activity and to develop further the existing arrangements for sharing knowledge and information with each other.

Inspection, audit and review bodies provide the people of Wales with information about the quality and efficiency of public services, such as schools, hospitals and social services.

A spokesperson for the four organisations said:

"Joint working has already yielded significant benefits. We want to use the strategic agreement to build on our existing collaboration. Ultimately, we want to improve the way we work together and ensure there are improved service outcomes for the people of Wales."