The National Office for Care and Support has formally launched in Wales.

The National Office for Care and Support will primarily focus on supporting the chief social care officer for Wales in their role, delivering a National Care Service for Wales, and implementing the National Commissioning Framework for Care and Support in Wales.

With a focus on innovation, improvement and transformation of adult and children’s services, the National Office for Care and Support forms a major part of the Welsh government’s longer term goal to strengthen social care arrangements.

It is the first part of the phased plan to implement the National Care Service, which is a shared priority in the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.

Minister for social care, Dawn Bowden, has welcomed the launch.

Bowden said: "The number of people aged 85 and over in Wales is projected to increase by more than 65 per cent over the next 20 years – it is to be celebrated that we are living longer but it also means we need to radically rethink how we care for our older population."

She added it will be crucial to help guide the sector as it drives improvements in access to care and the experience of service users.

"It will also play an essential role in the integration of health and social care, working closely with the NHS Executive to ensure Wales’ health and social care system is fit for the future," Bowden said.

Albert Heaney, chief social care officer for Wales, said: "The national office will bring together the 22 local authorities, involve people who use social care services, their carers, the workforce, professional bodies, and key partners to work together to delivery national priorities, quality standards, particularly in relation to commissioning of care and support services."