Social Care News

Social Services Wales: transformation set for 2016 says minister

Social Services Minister Gwenda Thomas has said that the promised transformation of social services following the newly-passed Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act will take effect from April 2016.

Ms Thomas was speaking at the North Wales Social Care in Partnership annual conference in Llandudno today (May 8) about the "transformational" Act which promises a strong statutory framework for the protection of adults and has provided for strong national leadership arrangements for safeguarding people.

The Act will also ensure people have access to clear information, advice and assistance and will place their voice and rights at the centre of decisions about their care and support.

Ms Thomas, pictured said: "It is the most extensive and significant Act to be passed by the National Assembly for Wales since devolution 15 years ago. It will have a direct impact on the lives of many of our citizens, if not most of them.

“It is also one that has been built by us all together. I want to thank you all for the positive and constructive engagement during the scrutiny of this legislation. But throughout we recognised that we are working for the same goals – a sustainable and citizen-centred care and support system in Wales.

“In some ways the hardest work is ahead of us. Implementation of these changes will need all of us to work together, from the front line to my office door. I am committed to turning on the main elements of the Act in April 2016. That means we will have to turn ourselves to the task of getting ourselves ready for that date. This is a major task, but one I know we are all equally committed to.”

Inspection and Regulation of Social Services: Bill timetable announced

Gwenda Thomas, speaking today (May 8) at the North Wales Social Care in Partnership annual conference, also announced that the new bill to reform the regulation and inspection regime for social care in Wales will go before the National Assembly in February 2015.

Ms Thomas said: "The Bill will be the sibling of the first. It will reform our regulation and inspection regime in social care in Wales to reflect the new world we are creating.

“It will require a new focus on wellbeing in our system, and refocus the regulation of social care towards outcomes for people. It will establish a new Institute of Care and Support, building upon the good work of the Care Council for Wales but going further to create a strategic hub for improvement in the social care sector.”