Welsh Gov launch campaign to support social services legislation changes
A national awareness campaign has being launched to inform people in Wales about the changes being introduced by a landmark new Welsh law – the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act.
The new law will radically transform the way social services are delivered in Wales to meet the needs of individuals and make services sustainable for the future.
Coming into force on April 6, the Act gives people a stronger voice and real control over the support they need to remove barriers to their well-being. 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.
The Act also:
- 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.
The national awareness campaign, which will be delivered by the Welsh Government in partnership with local organisations across Wales, will include traditional bus and radio adverts, digital adverts and a Facebook and Twitter campaign.
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, on April 6, 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.”
