News

The first chairperson of the Social Care Institute for Excellence (Scie) has been named as Jane Campbell, currently co-director of the National Centre for Independent Living,

Announcing the appointment, health minister Jacqui Smith said: "We are determined to improve the quality of social care provision and tackle current variations in care across the country. Social services provide crucial support and care for many people across the country and the highest possible standards must be set in all areas at all times. Scie is key to achieving this goal."

Campbell is a commissioner on the Disability Rights Commission and a governor of the National Institute for Social Work. Following the announcement she commented: "I hope my appointment will send out a clear message to everyone involved in social care that service users will not only be welcomed to help shape service delivery but will be expected to participate at every level.

"Social care has been the Cinderella public service for far too long. There is excellent practice out there and it is up to Scie to turn that practice into accessible 'know how', so that all stakeholders can benefit and move forward."

Scie will be established by the Department of Health and the National Assembly for Wales by autumn this year. The appointments process for the chief executive and the board members is currently under way.