The Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru (ADSSC) Delivering Transformation Programme 2017-18, which is funded by Welsh Government, includes work to enhance practice in respect of Prevention and Early Intervention. One of the aims of this programme is to develop solutions to legislative and practice issues between the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (SSWBA) and other legislation. This will involve examining how the SSWBA comes into contact with the requirements of other legislation and understand the consequences of potential issues in practice. It was agreed that one priority should be to examine the interplay between the 2014 Act and Mental Health Legislation.
This Guidance is therefore provided on an advisory basis and for a primary audience of service commissioners and Mental Health professionals in Social Care and the NHS. It is also of interest to social workers and managers. It is not intended to be comprehensive but to set out the key issues to be considered and it should be read and considered alongside the details of the relevant Acts, Regulations, Codes of Practice, Guidance and Council requirements. The Guidance was developed through a Workshop and subsequent contributions from a Reference Group that included a range of professionals from Mental Health and Social Services across Wales.
