The new blueprint for looking after vulnerable people and children in North Wales has been hailed as the “most important development in social care for two generations”.<\/p>\n
The Welsh Government\u2019s Bill to radically reshape the provision of\u00a0 social care will potentially save millions of pounds a year by slashing red tape, concentrating more resources on front line services.<\/p>\n
The Bill, Sustainable Social Services for Wales: a Framework for Action, was unveiled in the Senedd by Gwenda Thomas AM, the Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services.<\/p>\n
According to Care Forum Wales\u00a0 (CFW) which represents more than 500 private social care, the historic legislation is a victory for common sense<\/p>\n
CFW was particularly pleased that plans for a national approach to assessing the needs of vulnerable people would help to end the post code lottery in care and help to reduce pressure on the NHS.<\/p>\n
The legislation was announced against a backdrop of cash-strapped local authorities paying \u201cunrealistically low fees\u201d to independent care providers.<\/p>\n
CFW believe that a better integration of the independent sector will help to reduced bed blocking in hospitals by providing more appropriate and more cost-effective care in the community.<\/p>\n
Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said:\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re delighted with the legislation\u00a0 because it recognises that at a time of increasing need; with dwindling resources this is a blueprint for action.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s potentially the most important change to social care in two generations which is going to hopefully cut bureaucracy\u00a0 and focus resources and services to where people need them.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt enshrines in law the importance of the contribution of the independent sector in providing social care.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt a time of austerity, this is about doing things better and more cost-effectively. It’s a victory for common sense .<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been stressing that we simply cannot sustain 22 different ways of commissioning services with different eligibility criteria.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the case of social care, we also have seen local health boards to deal with so you can be a provider in Wales with 29 contracts. It flies in the face of the current financial reality.<\/p>\n
“We believe that this legislation has the potential to take millions of pounds worth of cost each year out of the bureaucracy.<\/p>\n
“By streamlining the way we do things it should be possible to target our resources so that we can better provide early intervention and reablement services.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs well as focusing resources at the sharp end of social care, the changes will also mean that\u00a0 more people can remain independent at home.<\/p>\n
“At the same time we’re hoping that those who need step up or step down facilities will not need to go to hospital and will be able to find another more appropriate service.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most damning failure of the current system is the lack of a national eligibility framework and portable assessments of need which led to a postcode lottery of care and huge, unnecessary pressure on the NHS.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Care Forum Wales, we have been calling for the proposed national framework since 1993 and we are delighted that this is a central plank of the new policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea of having a single set of eligibility criteria that are transferrable has to be right. It defied logic to have so many different contracts when we can streamline the service.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis blueprint sets out a new approach and the ways of working in the past are no longer acceptable or fit for purpose..<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s essential that local authorities work in partnership and importantly within the legal framework so that we can provide sustainable, high quality services.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother important element of the legislation is the commitment to the development and professionalisation of the workforce which certainly chimes with our priorities.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be successful, this Bill needs to put choice and dignity at the heart of everything we do.”<\/p>\n