The first substantive set of findings from the ongoing IMPACT study –the national evaluation of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 has been published, alongside a Ministerial written statement. Led by Professor Mark Llewellyn, Director of the Welsh Institute of Health and Social Care (WIHSC), which is based at the University of South Wales (USW), the Process Evaluation report authors conclude that leaders and workers within the social care sector in Wales are ‘on a journey’ towards the full implementation of the Act. They also note that the key principles underpinning the Act – prevention and early intervention, co-production, well-being, voice and control, and multi-agency working – command universal support as the foundation of a values-based framework for action across Wales.
The study team spoke with more than 150 respondents across four case study localities in order to assess the difference made to date. They found that a different ‘quantum’ of change is required by different parts of the country. For some parts of Wales, a number of identified activities and approaches had been embedded prior to the Act’s implementation which made the process much smoother. It was also the case that these ‘pre-aligned’ forms of practice had to evolve in order to meet the new duties and requirements, alongside the establishment of new and transformative ways of working. The team found varying levels of success in this endeavour, often linked to underlying structural, financial or capacity pressures. Crucial to the ‘full’ implementation of the Act’s ambitious vision, is sufficient time and resource in order to continue to bring about and sustain change – hence the principal conclusion that the workforce is still on the implementation ‘journey’.
Looking to future phases of the study, the authors say: “The next part of our work from January 2021 onwards is to hear extensively from all service users, carers, families and communities. We want to ensure that we balance the perspectives from the workforce with the experience of those who are supported or cared for.”
Process Evaluation Research Briefing
