Care Forum Wales has launched a manifesto which calls for the ‘renewal’ of social care services in Wales – and for social care to be put at the top of the new Welsh Government’s political agenda.

According to CFW, the challenges facing newly-elected AMs include:

* listening to people in Wales who use services and respecting their choices about where and how their needs are met

* recognising the value of the social care workforce by promoting workforce training initiatives

* ensuring public sector agencies recognise the contribution and role of the independent care sector

* making sure ‘value for money’ takes into account the quality of care being delivered

Other key aspects of the manifesto call for funding that enables quality services to be provided, making sure services specified are proportionate to the costs of providing them – and ensuring the services provided are based on the needs of the person, not "bureaucratic criteria".