Population Needs Assessment
The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 came into force on the 6th April 2016.
The Act changes the way people’s needs are assessed and the way services are delivered- people will have more of a say in the care and support they receive.
It also promotes a range of help available within the community to reduce the need for formal, planned support.
- Services will be available to provide the right support at the right time
- More information and advice will be available
- Assessment will be simpler and proportionate
- Carers will have an equal right to be assessed for support
- There will be stronger powers to keep people safe from abuse and neglect.
The Social Services and Wellbeing Act (Act) – Part Two, section 14 requires that local authorities and local health boards must jointly carry out an assessment of the needs for care and support, and the support needs of carers in the local authority areas.
Care and support is in relation to people known to social services and those supported through preventative services.
The population needs assessment (PNA) consists of two sections:
- Assessing the extent to which there are people or their carers who need care and support and the extent to which they need support
- Assessing the range and level of services required for the care and support needs of the population, their carers, to prevent needs arising and escalating, and the actions required to provide services in Welsh
The first population assessment was published in April 2017. There is also an expectation that we will publish a regional joint action plan by April 2018. The benefits expected are more opportunities for regional working, joint commissioning and maximising of resources.
For more information please contact phil.diamond@torfaen.gov.uk