Welsh government reappoints Cwmpas to drive social care reform

The Welsh government has reappointed cooperative development agency Cwmpas to support social care service reform using social value models.

Social value models are intended to bring together commissioners, providers and citizens to solve each other’s problems within communities. The approach aims to see care providers sharing solutions, resources, and costs, with care agencies actively engaged with community-based agencies and facilities.

Cwmpas will work to introduce more cooperatives, social enterprises and social value delivery models in the Welsh social care sector, as well as advising seven Social Value Forums across Wales and identifying the support they need.

Donna Coyle, project manager with Cwmpas, said: ‘There is a huge opportunity for the delivery of social value in social care to genuinely transform the sector and Cwmpas is delighted to be a part of this strategy and is already working with partners such as Drive Wales and its “Drive Autism Eco Project” to deliver social care with social value at its heart.

‘Traditionally, there hasn’t been enough focus on achieving well-being for people, or on mobilising people’s opinions and ability in social care. There has been a lack of collaboration between relevant agencies and not enough importance placed on prevention or reduction on dependency on services. In addition, the scope for care activities to strengthen the whole community has been ignored. There needs to be a collaborative redesign of services in every community locality – using a social value model of delivery.’

Cwmpas will support the aims of the Welsh Government’s Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014, which puts the promotion of wellbeing at the centre of social care delivery. It aims to give care users a voice to help shape their support and the decisions affecting their life. It relies on early intervention to prevent problems reaching a critical stage and encourages partnership working between the organisations that support someone’s life.

Coyle said: ‘The building blocks are already in place within Wales thanks to Government legislation. What is needed now is the confidence to develop a social value system that is better for people and our communities and we are looking forward to the challenge.’

Cwmpas was founded as the Wales Co-operative Centre in 1982 by the Welsh TUC. It was renamed Cwmpas earlier this year.

Photo by Dominik Lange