Care and social services in Wales have improved, a new report reveals.

In the first annual study by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW), such services were reported to have increased over the course of 2006-07.

It was suggested that such developments have been "underpinned" by enhanced performance management, new improvement capacity and clear political leadership.

Rob Pickford, chief inspector for the CSSIW, said: "Much of the framework for a coherent and structured approach to social care in Wales is now in place and a distinctive Welsh social care sector is beginning to emerge.

"It is developing a more confident voice that promotes services which place citizens centre stage."

He added that talent management issues are an important challenge for local authorities.

Such an announcement may well interest people seeking social work jobs in the principality, in addition to those looking to use a regional recruitment portal to attract such candidates.

It was recently revealed that those working for the health and social care sector in the south-east of England are to benefit from a £151 million investment by the European Social Fund.

More regional recruitment portal information.