Written - Action on Elder Abuse Report into Care of Mr Derek Parker at Waverley Care Centre, Penarth.

I have been fully briefed on this case by the Acting Chief Inspector, CSSIW. Mr Fitzgerald has made a formal complaint about CSSIW through the Welsh Assembly Government’s Complaints Code. This is currently the subject of an investigation. The outcome of the investigation will be considered by the Chief Inspector who will provide me with further briefing in due course. In these circumstances it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this case at this time.

Adult Protection

Officials invited Mr Gary Fitzgerald, Action on Elder Abuse to a meeting on 6th July 2009 with the purpose of discussing the Welsh Assembly Government’s ongoing strategic work in relation to Adult Protection.

As I set out in my Written Statement on 14 July, Adult Protection is a high priority for the Assembly Government and is the responsibility of a number of statutory organisations. Partnership working between these bodies is essential but we all have a responsibility to report abuse wherever and whenever it occurs. 

The Welsh Assembly Government has already established an Adult Protection Project Group to review its national adult protection policies and to provide recommendations to Welsh Ministers to ensure that they remain effective and robust. As part of this process the Welsh Assembly Government has commissioned an independent review of its main adult protection guidance 'In Safe Hands'. This review is being undertaken by the University of Glamorgan which will report in the Autumn.  

CSSIW will be undertaking a national inspection of adult protection arrangements across Wales commencing this month. This review will consider the performance of all local authorities and includes a thematic enquiry in care homes.  The inspection will consider the way in which the local authority discharges its social services functions in respect of adult protection, whether directly or through arrangements with others. In addition to individual reports, a national overview report on adult protection will be produced.

I will consider the outcome of this review and inspection alongside recommendations from the Project Group in the Spring, including the case for further legislation and I will report to Assembly Members on my conclusions.  

Work to update the Guidance on the role of CSSIW as an integrated inspectorate in adult protection has been taken forward and is currently subject to consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.  Revised Guidance will be published later this year.

More generally the Assembly Government has established a 3 year Dignity in Care programme that it is being taken forward by a multi-agency and multi-disciplinary National Co-ordinating Group.  £100,000 has been set aside this financial year to progress this work through 6 training events across Wales as well as a number of smaller projects being funded. 

I would be happy to make an oral statement if Assembly Members wish me to do so, at the first opportunity in the new session.