Written question WQ96396
- Asked by
- Paul DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
To what extent is the Welsh Government holding local authorities to account for meeting their legal obligations under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and providing adequate respite care to seriously ill children and their families?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Children and Social Care
Welsh Government has issued statutory guidance to local authorities to aid them in the production of their Local Authority Social Services Annual Reports. These reports set out how the local authority is meeting their obligations under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, and directly addresses the needs of adults and children receiving care and support as well as unpaid carers.
Welsh Government collect annual activity and performance data for all adults and children receiving care and support, and for the support given to unpaid carers. This collection is supported by more detailed data collections which explore the individual children’s needs and provision of short breaks, or a planned series of respite care, but also respite care given to unpaid carers.
Regional Partnership Board (RPB) lead on joint regional planning of services and partners are held to account through the RPB annual reports. They are also required to produce regional Population Needs Assessments, joint Area Plans and promote joint commissioning of services.
Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) in its inspections and reviews of children’s services will always consider in detail the experience and outcomes for a sample of children and families using local authority social services. Where appropriate inspectors will consider the need for respite care and the adequacy of the response. CIW also works closely with Llais to share information from both organisations’ respective engagement activity with children and their families.
Welsh Government has also extended its national Short Breaks Scheme and Carers Support Fund for this year at a combined cost of £5.25 million.
The Welsh Government provides funding to national carer organisations to deliver information and support to unpaid carers, including wellbeing support sessions, financial and benefits information and signposting to more specialist support services. Additional funding is provided via the Regional Integration Fund to support carers services, including within hospital settings.