Citizen Panels for Social Services in Wales

The Welsh Government is proposing lots of changes to Social Services in Wales.

They are setting up panels across Wales for people to tell them how the services they receive can be improved.

"The most important change we can make is to give users and carers a way to influence the really big decisions taken at an all-Wales level. In 2011 I set up a Partnership Forum which brings all the major stakeholders in social services together. Now the forum and I will be able to listen to the experiences and views of the most important people, the citizens who rely on these services every day."

Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas AM

We at Participation Cymru, have been asked to set up the panels and support panel members.

We are inviting people who use Social Services, carers of those who use Social Services and other people who have an interest in Social Services in Wales, to apply to be members of these panels.

There will be young people’s panels for people who are aged up to 18, and an adult’s panel, based in North, South East and South West Wales.

Why do we need Citizen Panels for social services?

The Citizen Panels will give the Welsh Government a way to check how they are doing. It will make sure that people who use social services are at the heart of deciding how these services should change.

The Panels will give their comments and opinions at a really important level where they can make real changes. They will help to measure if policies and plans are making services better and will help to show where the services are not working as well as they should.

Panel members will need to reflect the wider views of social service users and carers. They will look at services that are delivered all over Wales. They will say what they think as service users and carers, and also say what they think are the most important things to deal with.

Why should you get involved?

This is a chance for you to tell Welsh Government how they can improve the services you and people like you receive.

You can download:

• A covering letter
• An information sheet about the work
• A glossary, which is an explanation of what some terms mean
• Criteria and an application form for membership of the panels (for both adults and children and young people)

If you are interested in applying and need help to do so or if you have any questions about it then please get in touch with us and we will be happy to help.

We ask that you send us your application form by 5pm on the 21 September 2012.

Written, video or audio applications are welcome.