Thank you, Llywydd. I move the motion. The two sets of regulations before the Assembly were consulted upon over the summer and support the first phase of implementing the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016. They relate to the new system of workforce registration required under the Act.

The Social Care Wales (Extension of Meaning of ‘Social Care Worker’) Regulations 2016 prescribe additional descriptions of persons who are to be treated as social care workers for the purposes of Parts 3-8 of the Act. These Parts relate to the exercise of specific functions of Social Care Wales. They include in its role promoting and maintaining high standards in the provision of care and support services; its role in the conduct, practice and training of social care workers; and its role in maintaining public confidence in the social care workforce.

As social care workers, these persons may be subject to codes of practice prepared and issued by Social Care Wales and may have access to education, training and certain courses approved by Social Care Wales. The intended effect of the regulations is to encompass a wide breadth of the social care workforce, giving Social Care Wales the freedom and powers it needs to support the delivery of high-quality care and support. They are essential to provide clarity as to who are social care workers for the purposes of the Act.

The Social Care Wales (Specification of Social Care Workers) (Registration) Regulations 2016 relate to section 80 of the Act, which requires Social Care Wales to keep a register of social workers, particular descriptions of social care workers and visiting social workers from the European Economic Area and Switzerland. The regulations provide for the registration of managers of regulated services, children’s residential care workers and student social workers. They deliver our policy intention of ensuring that those who are currently required to register under the Care Standards Act 2000 will continue to be registered. They also pave the way for future regulations that will require the registration of domiciliary and adult residential care workers.

These regulations are necessary to give effect to the new system of workforce registration and regulation to be operated by Social Care Wales from April of next year. As such, I commend them to Members. Llywydd, I take this opportunity to thank the stakeholders for their engagement on this and our officials for the significant work that’s gone into developing these regulations.