Social Care News

CFW welcomes social care bill - 'most important change in a generation'

Care Forum Wales (CFW) has welcomed the Welsh Government's social care bill as, "the most important change to social care in two generations".

The bill, introduced by Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services Gwenda Thomas today, will now go out to public consultation and a bill could be introduced as early as October this year. She said the bill had been prompted by demographic changes and increasing demand for social services across Wales.

It promises to give the thousands of people across Wales who receive social care greater control over the care they receive - and a chance to be in charge of their own care budgets. 

The bill could also lead to the establishment of a single adoption agency for Wales - there are currently 23 operating.

CFW believes that more effective working with the independent sector could help to reduce bed-blocking and provide more cost effective social care.

Chairman Mario Kreft said: "We're delighted with the legislation because it recognises that, at a time of increasing need with dwindling resources, this is a blueprint for action. 

"It's potentially the most important change to social care in two generations. We hope it will cut bureaucracy and focus resources and services on where people need them."

He added, "At a time of austerity this is about doing things better and more cost-effectively. It's a victory for common sense."

For more on this story see: www.bbc.co.uk/news/social_care_bill

For the full Welsh Government outline see: www.wales.gov.uk/social_care_bill