Tougher laws for Welsh care homes to be unveiled

  • Wales
If passed, the new law would ensure no care services will escape the regulatory regime Credit: PA

Care homes and care agencies could face tougher regulations under a new law announced by the Welsh Government.

The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Bill will ensure care home owners will become more accountable for their services.

If passed, each service provider will be required to designate an owner or board member as a 'responsible individual' as part of their registration, ensuring a clear line for sight from the boardroom to the frontline.

The latest figures show there are 1,780 regulated social care and support settings, which fall within the current regulatory regime.

There are also more than 70,000 staff working in the care sector.

The new law would also include:

  • Assessments of person in care's wellbeing during an inspection

  • Regulators will have power to award ratings for services following inspection

  • Stronger penalties for certain offences

  • New duties on regulators to share information when necessary