* Dawn Bowden, Minister for Children and Social Care

Stemming from our National Care and Support Service Initial Implementation Plan, the National Office for Care and Support commissioned a feasibility relating to creating national fee methodologies for older people care home placements.

Following an open tender process Practice Solutions Limited were appointed to undertake this work. The process involved extensive engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, including local authorities, local health boards and care providers. The resulting final report presents several recommendations and proposed next steps.

I welcome this Feasibility study on a national fee methodology for older people in residential care | GOV.WALES , which has reviewed current fee setting approaches, evaluated their practicality, and examined whether adopting a national fee methodology would be beneficial for Wales, taking into account feedback from the sector.

I have asked the National Office for Care and Support to lead in progressing detailed work on considering the recommendations outlined in the report. The work being taken forward will be underpinned by ongoing engagement with relevant stakeholders. We will build this activity into the next stage of our longer-term vision to establish a National Care and Support Service for Wales.

This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.