Well-being briefings for Public Services Boards

Public Services Boards (PSBs) are required by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to produce well-being assessments every five years, in line with local authority elections. These assessments should capture the state of well-being in local authority areas, in terms of economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being; and lead to objectives to improve well-being.

The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) was asked to assist PSBs by providing a series of briefings covering core trends and topics to support the well-being assessment process. In collaboration with a task and finish group of representatives from PSBs, we prepared three briefings covering the following topics:

  1. Equalities: Covering the differential well-being outcomes for people who fall into specific groups, including those considered vulnerable or disadvantaged; those possessing a protected characteristic; children under 18; young people looked after; people who need care and people who are carers. The briefing also considers how interventions can be tailored to maximise well-being across different groups.
  2. Cultural well-being: Providing an accessible meta-review of the evidence in this area including a clear working definition of cultural well-being; an understanding of what the evidence says about the impact of different activities on community well-being and whether there are differential outcomes for different groups; and what specific actions could support this area of well-being.
  3. The impact of Covid-19 and Brexit on well-being: Covering the impacts on well-being associated with these, including the impact of the economic shocks, and how the impact differs by group, economic sectors and geography. It considers how well-being could be enhanced by policies related to the European transition and post-pandemic recovery.

The aim is that the briefings will assist PSBs in making well-being assessments and setting well-being objectives. To support this process, all three briefings include a consideration of evidence gaps, uncertainties, and areas to explore, as well as how the evidence presented across each of the three areas can be used to support well-being objectives in local areas.