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Carers' needs part of bill to 'transform' social care Carers' needs part of bill to 'transform' social care
(35 minutes later)
More people who look after disabled, sick or frail relatives will have their needs assessed under a law proposed by the Welsh government.More people who look after disabled, sick or frail relatives will have their needs assessed under a law proposed by the Welsh government.
Local councils will have a duty to assess the needs of carers under the new Social Services and Wellbeing Bill.Local councils will have a duty to assess the needs of carers under the new Social Services and Wellbeing Bill.
Ministers say it will give people a bigger say over the care they receive, and control over their care budgets.Ministers say it will give people a bigger say over the care they receive, and control over their care budgets.
It will also give social workers new powers to enter homes and speak to vulnerable adults.It will also give social workers new powers to enter homes and speak to vulnerable adults.
Around 150,000 people a year receive social care in Wales.Around 150,000 people a year receive social care in Wales.
The legislation will increase the number of services where people can claim a direct payment from their local council. Spending on social services in 2010-11 was £1.4bn.The legislation will increase the number of services where people can claim a direct payment from their local council. Spending on social services in 2010-11 was £1.4bn.
The Welsh government said the bill would "transform" the way people are looked after.The Welsh government said the bill would "transform" the way people are looked after.
It will also:It will also:
  • introduce national eligibility criteria, so people are assessed according to their needs, regardless of where they live;
  • create "portable assessments", meaning people will not have to be re-assessed if they move to a new authority;
  • establish a national adoption service;
  • and allow council officers to apply to the courts so they can enter homes and speak to adults suspected of being at risk.
  • introduce national eligibility criteria, so people are assessed according to their needs, regardless of where they live;
  • create "portable assessments", meaning people will not have to be re-assessed if they move to a new authority;
  • establish a national adoption service;
  • and allow council officers to apply to the courts so they can enter homes and speak to adults suspected of being at risk.
The requirement on assessing carers' needs replaces an existing law which says carers must give "a substantial amount of care on a regular basis" before they are assessed.The requirement on assessing carers' needs replaces an existing law which says carers must give "a substantial amount of care on a regular basis" before they are assessed.
The change will "simplify the law" and mean carers are treated in the same way as the people they look after, the Welsh government says.The change will "simplify the law" and mean carers are treated in the same way as the people they look after, the Welsh government says.
'Real control''Real control'
In documents released with the bill, the Welsh government says that "radical changes" are needed to meet pressure on services.In documents released with the bill, the Welsh government says that "radical changes" are needed to meet pressure on services.
Demographic changes, including an ageing population, are putting more demand on the system.Demographic changes, including an ageing population, are putting more demand on the system.
The charity Carers Wales has estimated that the contribution made by unpaid carers who look after friends and relatives is worth more than £7bn.The charity Carers Wales has estimated that the contribution made by unpaid carers who look after friends and relatives is worth more than £7bn.
Rules on who will be eligible for care services will be spelled out in regulations by ministers.Rules on who will be eligible for care services will be spelled out in regulations by ministers.
The charity Scope said regulations should be written to benefit as many people as possible.The charity Scope said regulations should be written to benefit as many people as possible.
Its Welsh director Ian Thomas said: "Times are tough for everyone but being able to eat, wash and leave your home is not a luxury."Its Welsh director Ian Thomas said: "Times are tough for everyone but being able to eat, wash and leave your home is not a luxury."
'Take control''Take control'
Deputy social services minister Gwenda Thomas said: "This bill is an excellent example of how we are using the new powers of the National Assembly to make a real difference to the lives of the people of Wales.Deputy social services minister Gwenda Thomas said: "This bill is an excellent example of how we are using the new powers of the National Assembly to make a real difference to the lives of the people of Wales.
"This bill is about giving people a stronger voice and real control over the social care services they use, and to help meet their changing needs."This bill is about giving people a stronger voice and real control over the social care services they use, and to help meet their changing needs.
"Assessments for service users and their carers must be about the outcomes that are important to them, not just about eligibility for a particular service.""Assessments for service users and their carers must be about the outcomes that are important to them, not just about eligibility for a particular service."
Mario Kreft, chief executive of Care Forum Wales, said the current system of social services care had simply evolved.Mario Kreft, chief executive of Care Forum Wales, said the current system of social services care had simply evolved.
"We need to really take control now in a way and, of course, what we should recognise is the bill - the Social Services and Wellbeing Wales Bill. Wellbeing is in that title for a specific reason."We need to really take control now in a way and, of course, what we should recognise is the bill - the Social Services and Wellbeing Wales Bill. Wellbeing is in that title for a specific reason.
"We're looking, just as we are as a nation to different pension arrangements in the future, we're looking to the long term and how we can actually improve people's wellbeing and how those services fit together."We're looking, just as we are as a nation to different pension arrangements in the future, we're looking to the long term and how we can actually improve people's wellbeing and how those services fit together.
Mr Kreft said they must recognise how much public money is going into the service which is already under pressure. Mr Kreft added they must recognise how much public money is going into the service which is already under pressure.
"One of the very important aspects of this new bill is there will be powers for the government to really bring together in partnership health boards and local government and, in fact, it will also have those powers to, if necessary, take control of services if they're not being delivered and I think that is going to be a challenge to everyone." But David Niven, former chairman of the British Association of Social Workers, warned there could be pitfalls in the new system.
"You've got to appreciate that within the system and within the fact that money and resources is going to be given to each individual in order to control the spend more there is going to be situations of abuse," he said.
"And if you deregulate and take away overlooking of this system in many ways you're also going to open the door for the small minority of people that will abuse the vulnerable."