25/03/2011
The four main inspection, audit and regulation bodies in Wales are today set to sign a strategic agreement in order to boost joint working.
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."
Click here to read the paper Developing Our Work Together in a Climate of Change and here to read the Strategic Agreement.
Notes to Editors
About CSSIW
Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) encourages the improvement of social care, early years and social services by regulating, inspecting, reviewing and providing professional advice to Ministers and policy makers. We carry out our functions on behalf of Welsh Ministers, and although we are part of the Public Services and Local Government Delivery Directorate within the Welsh Assembly Government, there are a number of safeguards in place to ensure our operational independence. Our Vision and Values are geared towards ensuring that service users' experiences are at the heart of our work. Our duty is to assure the citizens of Wales of the quality and safety of social care services through our inspections. The responsibility for improving services rests with those who commission and deliver them within the requirements of the legislation and government policy. CSSIW inspections provide accountability for the public and learning for stakeholders through exemplars and sustained service improvements.
For further information please visit our website www.wales.gov.uk/cssiw
About Estyn
Estyn is the Education and Training Inspectorate for Wales. Our aim is to achieve excellence for all in learning in Wales. We do this by providing an independent, high-quality inspection and advice service. Our vision is to be recognised through the expertise of our staff as an authoritative voice on learning in Wales. We are independent from, but funded by the Welsh Assembly Government (under Section 104 of the Government of Wales Act 1998).
For further information please visit our website www.estyn.gov.uk
About HIW
Healthcare Inspectorate Wales is the independent inspectorate and regulator of all healthcare in Wales. HIW's primary focus is on:
• Making a significant contribution to improving the safety and quality of healthcare services in Wales.
• Improving citizens' experience of healthcare in Wales whether as a patient, service user, carer, relative or employee.
• Strengthening the voice of patients and the public in the way health services are reviewed.
• Ensuring that timely, useful, accessible and relevant information about the safety and quality of healthcare in Wales is made available to all
• For further information please visit our website www.hiw.org.uk
About The Wales Audit Office
The Wales Audit Office is independent of government and is responsible for the annual audit of some £20 billion of annual public expenditure.
• Its mission is to promote improvement, so that people in Wales benefit from accountable, well-managed public services that offer the best possible value for money. It is also committed to identify and spreading good practice across the Welsh public sector.
• For further information please visit our website www.wao.gov.uk