Better Together information pack: 12a. Who regulates Mencap services? - Applicable to Wales only
The Better Together pack has been split into different documents, each covering a different area of information about Mencap and our services; including how we work with the people we support, and the importance of building and maintaining strong
relationships
Relationships are about the people in your life. You might have different types of relationships like friendships, family relationships, or a boyfriend or girlfriend.
with their family and friends.
The information on this page is applicable to Wales only.
The following information follows the Types of services section (applicable to Wales only) of the Better Together information pack.
Who regulates Mencap services?
A large number of Mencap services are regulated, which means that an external body checks the quality and safety of the support being provided. Regulation helps us to continually challenge ourselves to be better and to strive for excellence in our work.
Regulators vary across our regions with separate regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Services in Wales
The regulator for Wales is Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW).
What is CIW?
CIW is the independent regulator of social care and childcare in Wales. They register, inspect and take action to improve the quality and safety of services for the well-being of the people of Wales.
During their inspection of a service, inspectors generally consider four core themes:
- Well-being
- Care and Support
- Environment
- Leadership and management
What does CIW do?
During an inspection, inspectors will check the service being delivered in a variety of ways. This may include:
- Talking and listening to people we support
- Observing people being supported
- Talking and listening to families of people we support
- Talking and listening to Mencap colleagues
- Talking and listening to the
manager
A manager is a boss at work. They tell you what you need to do and give you support if you need it.
and visiting professionals of the service - Reading relevant policies and records
- Giving out questionnaires to people, professionals and families where appropriate
- Looking at and reporting if a service is provided in Welsh without someone having to ask for it. This is known as the ‘Active offer’.
CIW identify any requirements and/or recommendations for improvements to the service in their inspection reports.
Inspection reports are published on CIW’s
website
A website is a page you can go to on the internet like Google or YouTube.
: https://www.careinspectorate.wales/
How families are involved
Inspectors will talk and listen to the families of people we support during the inspection. They may also ask families to complete a questionnaire prior to the inspection taking place.
Inspection frequency
CIW usually inspects services at least every 18 months.
Inspections can be announced or unannounced meaning that sometimes we will know that inspectors are coming and when, whilst on other occasions we may be given very little warning.
Contact details
Should you wish to contact CIW, you can do so by:
Telephone: 0300 790 0126
Website: www.ciw.org.uk
CIW also have an online contact form: https:// careinspectorate.wales/contactus/?lang=en
The next section of the Better Together information pack is General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)