Introduction to the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014

Overview

This programme is a full comprehensive day covering the key principles and duties of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, in relation to assessment, eligibility and care and support planning. The training is tailored accordingly to accommodate a mixed group of staff, including social workers, social care officers/support workers, occupational therapists and students. The training is supported by a comprehensive workbook comprising all slides, many with additional notes, plus case studies and a list of suggested strengths based questions to support practice. The course will cover the person with care and support needs and carers equally throughout the day. The programme begins by looking at the background of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and covers the key principles and spirit of the Act, including the emphasis on maximising choice and control, harnessing the existing strengths within a person’s life and focusing on what is important to that person. The course continues with coverage of the core principles of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. These principles emphasise the importance of supporting people who have care and support needs to achieve well-being, the person being at the heart of all social care arrangements and the centrality of partnerships, co-operation and prevention across the social and health care system. The course will explore the key duties of Prevention, Information, Advice and Assistance (IAA), Advocacy and Assessment, emphasising the importance of a ‘what matters’ conversation to identify and achieve well-being outcomes. Exercises include two quizzes, one on assessment, the other on eligibility and a case study to test out a range of strengths based questions that underpin collaborative conversations in assessments. The course will also consider assessment and eligibility decisions focusing on all five elements of assessment and will include reflection on what a good ‘what matters’ conversation looks like as part of the assessment process and how staff can work with people to achieve personal outcomes. This includes accurate recording, professional opinion and providing sound evidence for assessment and eligibility decisions. The course will also draw from a recent independent evaluation of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales)Act 2014, commissioned by the Welsh Government, as well as relevant Ombudsman cases and Judicial Reviews. The remainder of the afternoon session will cover the essential components of refining and embedding a personal outcomes approach in the care and support planning process, it will include a quiz and reflective learning on innovative and creative ways to support a person’s wellbeing outcomes, including the use of direct payments. The course explores how Direct Payments can be used and considers guidance and public law principles to help steer practice.

Who is Introduction to the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 aimed at?

Adult social care staff in Wales

Course Length

1 day

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this one day programme, delegates will be able to:-

• Recall the key principles of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and the duties and powers relating to assessment.
• Identify the eight aspects of well-being.
• Highlight the key aspects arising from the duties of Prevention and Information, Advice and Assistance (IAA), emphasising the importance of early resolution and solutions.
• Explain the duties relating advocacy to ensure that the person is supported to participate and be central to assessment, planning and review as appropriate. 
• Define a strengths-based approach and consider community and support networks more effectively.
• Distinguish the difference as well as the link between personal and eligibility outcomes.
• Demonstrate that all aspects related to involving the person as fully as possible have been explored.
• Understand, adopt and be able to apply eligibility requirements and make sound decisions in regard to eligibility.
• Identity the essential components of a Care and Support Plan.
• Refine the personal outcomes identified during the assessment at the care and support planning stage.
• Understand support options, explore the range of ways that needs and personal outcomes can be met and the different ways of funding care packages, including good practice in relation to Direct Payments.
• Adopt creative solutions in care and support planning