Social Care News

Awareness campaign launched ahead of implementation of Social Care and Well-being Act

A national awareness campaign was launched on February 11 to inform people in Wales about the changes being introduced by a landmark Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 which comes into force on April 6. The campaign includes bus and radio adverts, digital adverts and a Facebook and Twitter campaign to make people aware of the changes.

The new law is designed to give people more say about how social services assess and deliver their care and support and will "radically transform the way social services are delivered in Wales" and is designed to meet the needs of individuals and make services sustainable for the future.

The Act gives people a stronger voice and real control over the support they need to remove barriers to their wellbeing. It focuses on earlier intervention; increasing preventative services within the community and helping people maintain their independence.

It provides a framework to enable people to get the help they need before their situation becomes critical. The Act also promotes integration between health and social care in order to achieve improved wellbeing outcomes and provides for a strengthened approach to safeguarding people.

New changes coming in under the Social Care and Well-being Act

• The Act introduces new eligibility criteria focused on individual need, replacing the current threshold system;
• Gives carers an equal right to assessment for support to those they care for;
• Ensures easy access to information and advice is available to all;
• Keeps children and vulnerable adults safer by making powers to safeguard people stronger;
• Requires local authorities and health boards to come together in new statutory partnerships to drive integration, innovation and service change.

Find out more

Read more on the campaign and the changes that will come in under the Act on the Welsh Goverment website: care and support is changing