Wales online article: National campaign launched to inform people of landmark changes to social services in Wales , 12 Feb 2016 By Mark Smith
A national campaign has been launched to inform the public about landmark changes to the way social services are delivered in Wales.
The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which will be introduced on April 6, aims to give people a stronger voice and greater control over the support they need.
It imposes a legal duty on local authorities, health boards and Ministers to work to promote the wellbeing of those who need care and support, as well as their carers.
Increase powers to safeguard
One of its main goals is to identify problems before they reach a critical levels by increasing “preventative services” within communities and helping people maintain their independence for longer.
Read more: Social care staff will spend no less than 30 minutes with a patient under new changes to the law
It also keeps children and vulnerable adults safer by making powers to safeguard people stronger.
A national awareness campaign, which will be delivered in partnership with organisations across Wales, will include traditional bus and radio adverts, digital adverts and a Facebook and Twitter campaign.
‘We are at an historic point’
Launching the campaign, Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said: “We are at an historic point in the transformation of social care in Wales.
“In less than eight weeks’ time, using the law-making powers the people of Wales granted to the National Assembly in 2011, we will introduce a radical, made-in-Wales system for the care and support of our most vulnerable citizens, which is fairer and more sustainable.
“These national and local awareness campaigns will ensure people have information about the changes, which will give them more say in how social services assess and deliver care and support.
“These changes will put early intervention and prevention at the heart of our social services, helping people maintain their independence for longer, relieving pressures on our hospitals and care homes.
“They will also give carers an equal right to assessment for support to those who they care for and will strengthen our ability to keep our most vulnerable children and adults safe.”
Streamline and simplify
The new Act also aims to “steamline” and simplify financial assessments and charging by introducing one overall framework.
Each person required to pay a charge will now receive a written statement detailing the charge and how it has been calculated.
There will be a legal duty on health boards, local authorities and NHS Trust to work closely to ensure better integration of health and social care.
They will need to prioritise the integration of services for older people with complex needs, people with learning disabilities and children with complex needs.
To find more visit www.gov.wales/careandsupport
