Welsh Government hails landmark social services legislation

The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 has gained Royal Assent, ushering in what the Welsh Government called the first coherent Welsh legal framework in this field.

It provides for strengthened powers for the safeguarding of children and adults, “so that vulnerable people at risk can be protected more effectively”.

Other reforms in the Act include assessments based on applicants’ needs rather than only on which services are available locally,  and ‘portable assessments’, so that if service users move around Wales they will continue to receive the same services.

The Act is also intended to encourage take up of direct payments by social care users, giving them more control over how their needs are met.

It also gives Wales a National Adoption Service.

Gwenda Thomas, Deputy minister for social services, said: “This is an Act for people and about people. At its heart is a strong focus on individual rights.

“It will ensure a strong voice and real control for people, of whatever age, enabling them to maximise their wellbeing. It will set the legal framework and infrastructure to transform services to meet changing social expectations and changing demography.”