Care Forum Wales

03/02/2026

🌟 Positive News from Our Members: St David's Residential Home🌟

St Davids Residential Home is celebrating a fantastic achievement following their most recent inspection in November 2025, where they were officially recognised as meeting the Welsh Active Offer.

The Welsh Active Offer ensures that people receiving care and support in Wales can communicate and receive services in Welsh without needing to ask, and that the Welsh language is treated no less favourably than English.

This success reflects the hard work and ongoing commitment of the entire team, with special recognition to their Commercial Director, Sian, whose passion and determination has driven this work forward.

As part of their approach:
• All new recruits receive basic Welsh language awareness and training
• Staff are provided with a handbook of useful Welsh phrases
• Welsh language boards are in place to guide and support staff
• Accessible information is available to help people engage in Welsh whenever they wish

By actively promoting and supporting the Welsh language, St Davids Residential Home is helping to normalise its use, celebrate Welsh culture, and ensure that Welsh‑speaking individuals feel confident, respected, and included.

They are incredibly proud of this progress and the inclusive, person‑centred culture it represents. This is a wonderful example of the positive work taking place across the sector.

Da iawn!

02/02/2026

✨ Nominations Extended Until February 28th! ✨

There’s still time to shine a spotlight on the phenomenal individuals who make an extraordinary impact every day. This is a fantastic opportunity to recognise those who go above and beyond in their work and communities.

If you know someone who deserves to be celebrated, submit your nomination here:
👉🏼 https://form.jotform.com/252883356856068

30/01/2026

🌟 Have your say about working in social care!🌟

An important annual survey is now open, giving social care workers the opportunity to share their experiences. It covers key topics such as health and well-being, pay and conditions, and overall views on working in the sector.

Gofal Cymdeithasol Cymru / Social Care Wales are keen to hear from people in all types of social care roles, so please take a few minutes to complete the short survey before it closes on 4 March.

Your feedback will help shape the support offered across the sector and your voice genuinely makes a difference.

As a thank you, everyone who completes the survey can enter a prize draw to win a £50 shopping voucher.

👉 Take part here:

The Have Your Say 2026 survey is run by researchers at Cardiff University and is funded by Social Care Wales

28/01/2026

🌟 We’re excited to announce our Care Forum Wales Collaboration Day! 🌟

Formerly known as Care Forum Wales Essential Updates, our first Spring session is themed “Your Guide to 2026” to help providers prepare for the year ahead.

📍 South & West Wales
🗓 3 March 2026
📌 The Vale Resort, Pontyclun

Secure your place today:
👉 https://form.jotform.com/260263097971059

We’re thrilled to welcome speakers from Morgan La Roche, Borderless, the National Office for Care and Support (Welsh Government), and Social Care Wales. They’ll be covering the major issues facing providers this year, including:

✔ Employment Rights Bill
✔ Immigration support
✔ Empowering the care workforce
✔ Commissioning guidance

📣 **North Wales date and speakers coming soon!**

Join us for a day of collaboration and practical support for the year ahead.

26/01/2026

This evening, Care Forum Wales Policy Advisor Thea Brain appeared on ITV Wales, alongside Care Forum Wales member Joshua Slator, owner of Ysguborwen Care Home, and Tracy Jones, whose mother-in-law Mary calls Ysguborwen home.

They highlighted the stark inequalities people in Wales face every day, based purely on where they live, when it comes to accessing and funding social care.

Third party top-ups have effectively become an additional tax on residents and their families in many parts of Wales, placing unfair financial pressure on those who can least afford it. This pressure exists as a result of local authorities choosing to set unsustainable fee rates.

Care Forum Wales is calling for a national fee methodology to address these inequalities and create a fairer, more consistent system across the country.

We hope the next government will be willing to work with us to tackle this injustice and deliver meaningful change for people who rely on social care in Wales.

Family worried mother could be evicted from her care home due to rising costs https://www.itv.com/watch/news/family-worried-mother-could-be-evicted-from-her-care-home-due-to-rising-costs/n41bztd

20/01/2026

📣 The 2026 ‘Have Your Say’ survey for the social care workforce is now open!

This annual survey gives social care workers the opportunity to share their experiences of working in the sector.

As in previous years, the survey asks questions about:
🔸 Health and well‑being
🔸 Pay and working conditions
🔸 Experiences of working in social care
➕ And more
We would encourage as many people as possible, across all types of social care roles, to take part.

🗓️ The survey closes on 4 March.

Your feedback will help shape the support offered by the organisation and its partners, so don’t miss your chance to take part.

Everyone who completes the survey can enter a prize draw to win a £50 shopping voucher.

👉 Complete the survey here: https://socsi.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eULFGgym3s6CUya

19/01/2026

This week, we have published our Manifesto ahead of the Welsh Election in May, setting out a clear and urgent call to action for all political parties.

For too long, social care has been undervalued, and underfunded, despite being fundamental to the health, wellbeing, and dignity of people across Wales. Every day, care providers and their dedicated staff support some of the most vulnerable members of our society, often under immense pressure and with limited resources.

As Wales approaches a pivotal election, we are urging political parties to do the right thing and commit to meaningful change. Social care must be recognised as an equal partner within the wider health and care system, not an afterthought.

Our manifesto calls for a renewed approach built on fairness, partnership, and accountability, including:

📍True partnership – recognising and respecting all voices across the social care sector
📍Fair care for all – ending the postcode lottery created by inconsistent fee setting
📍Delivering on the real living wage – ensuring the pledge is fully and properly funded so it reaches care staff
📍Fixing the visa system – supporting ethical international recruitment and addressing workforce shortages
📍Parity for social care – achieving equal status and esteem with the NHS
📍A common-sense approach to rebalancing care – working together with a shared purpose
📍Value for money – recognising the high quality, cost effective care delivered by independent providers
📍Accountability – building a fair, transparent, and accountable system that puts people first

The future of social care in Wales depends on bold, informed decisions and genuine collaboration. Care Forum Wales stands ready to work with the next Welsh Government to deliver a sustainable and fair care system for everyone.

👉 Read the full Care Forum Wales Manifesto here: https://www.careforumwales.co.uk/2026/01/care-forum-wales-publishes-manifesto-ahead-of-the-welsh-election/

16/01/2026

NOMINATE NOW!🤩⭐️

Be part of a fantastic night by nominating someone for the 2026 Wales Care Awards. By putting forward your colleagues, teams, or partners, you help us shine a light on this brilliant sector. We want to celebrate those who do fantastic things that help us support so many.

More information can be found in the link below.

Nominations must be submitted by February 28th.

👉

The Wales Care Awards are a celebration of excellence across the Wales care sector. The purpose of the awards is to congratulate those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field. There are awards in 20 categories including Care Practitioner Awards,... read more ....

15/01/2026

Over 92% of care services in Wales have achieved high standards in the first seven months of the new national care ratings system.

This is a fantastic example of our members consistently delivering quality care, even in the face of ongoing challenges across the sector. Their unwavering commitment to placing residents at the centre of their work is clearly demonstrated in these results.

Read more here 👉

Over 92% of care services in Wales have achieved high standards in the first 7 months of a new ratings system being in place.

13/01/2026

Committed and resilient workforce? We have it in social care! 🥳

Our Care Forum Wales member Garnant House in Ammanford shows what true dedication looks like, with staff showing up no matter the weather! 🌨️

Jane’s commitment meant sledging to work during Storm Goretti, now that’s going the extra mile!

https://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/news/25753665.video-shows-brynamman-woman-riding-sledge-work-snow/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZnRzaAPOLLtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEel-2OdW7RZMJIG1eW480dLn2bWnhp8N2IL9V-ovQrJ0JSdVGrQlwfpMT8aDk_aem_yzHHfAbh4HxtU8c2pr3N-A =1767980057

Footage shows a 62-year-old woman riding a sledge to where she works in Garnant

19/12/2025

The National Advisory Service (NAS) helps displaced overseas social care workers find new roles and supports providers facing recruitment challenges.

✅ Employers with a sponsorship licence (or interested in applying) can share vacancies with NAS: support@sanctuary.gov.wales

✅ NAS connects skilled workers with providers – participation is voluntary, and providers are under no obligation to appoint if they don’t feel the worker is suitable.

✅ Welsh Government works with UKVI to fast-track sponsorship certificates for employers recruiting displaced workers.

Since launching in Sept 2025, NAS has built a growing database of vacancies and workers, with positive feedback from providers.

👉 Learn more:

How we will store and process your details under the General Data Protection Regulation.

10/12/2025

On Human Rights Day, the Five Nations Care Forum has written to the UK Government urging full and active engagement in the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.

We are calling for strong UK leadership and for older people and social care providers to be at the heart of the process.

Read the letter here:

On Human Rights Day (10 December 2025), the Five Nations Care Forum – which comprises of care associations from Wales, Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland – wrote to the UK Government urging full and active participation in drafting... read more »