Written statement (Wales) on The Health and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025: Coming into force, implementation progress and next steps - Mar 10
|
Dawn Bowden MS, Minister for Children and Social Care: I am pleased
to update Members on implementation of the Health and Social
Care (Wales) Act 2025, due to substantially come into force on 1
April 2026. This vital legislation enables fundamental reforms that
place the rights, wellbeing and voices of children, families and
disabled people at the centre of our health and social care
systems. The Act – part of wider, long‑term transformation of
social care and...Request free trial
Dawn Bowden MS, Minister for Children and Social Care: I am pleased to update Members on implementation of the Health and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025, due to substantially come into force on 1 April 2026. This vital legislation enables fundamental reforms that place the rights, wellbeing and voices of children, families and disabled people at the centre of our health and social care systems. The Act – part of wider, long‑term transformation of social care and health services – supports key Programme for Government commitments. It brings together reforms that will shift the provision of children's social care towards public and not‑for‑profit entities; strengthen the rights of disabled people and those with long‑term health conditions; and enhance regulatory mechanisms within the social care sector. Since Royal Assent in March last year, we have been working closely with delivery partners and stakeholders to ensure safe, careful implementation that protects and improves the experiences of some of those who rely most on these services. I would personally like to thank care‑experienced young people, and adults currently receiving, or considering, continuing NHS healthcare; their lived experiences have been integral in shaping this legislation. Key Objectives of the Act1. Removing profit from the care of children looked after Wales is the first UK nation to legislate to ensure that public funding for children's social care services is reinvested in their wellbeing and not extracted as profit. This reflects our core principle that the care of looked‑after children should be grounded in compassion, stability and public value. Under the Act:
These reforms will support a more coherent, equitable and sustainable system that better meets children and young people's needs and aspirations. 2. Introducing direct payments for healthcare For the first time, adults eligible for continuing NHS healthcare (CHC) will be able to request direct payments to arrange aspects of their care. This reform strengthens autonomy, choice and control, ensuring individuals can shape the support they receive in a way that best aligns with their needs and individual circumstances. It also aligns CHC with long‑standing direct payments arrangements in social care, improving coherence across our systems. 3. Strengthening regulation and inspection of social care services The Act includes important amendments to improve transparency, ensure public accountability and enhance the safety and quality of services. These include a new duty for all providers to publish their annual returns; stronger investigative powers for Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW); and enhanced processes for Social Care Wales (SCW) in managing interim orders in fitness to practise proceedings. These measures collectively support better oversight, improved public confidence and safer services. Commencement and Timeline Implementation is being phased carefully to maintain stability and safeguard the wellbeing of individuals receiving care and support.
To support transparency and forward planning, a detailed milestone timeline is provided at Annex A, covering major commencement points and the statutory timetable for submission and approval of local authority annual sufficiency plans. Progress Update on each policy area1. Removing profit from children's social care Preparations continue at pace across local authorities, CIW, providers, representative groups and other partners. Changes are being phased-in to avoid disruption to the care of individual children and ensure stable, high‑quality placements are maintained. This principle has underpinned every aspect of the commencement schedule. The milestones detailed within Annex A form part of a managed transition designed to:
To support this transition:
The transition will be reinforced by the introduction of local authority annual sufficiency plans, which will set out how local authorities will ensure they have enough suitable not‑for‑profit accommodation for children looked after, prioritising placements close to home. Consultation on regulations to underpin these plans is underway. 2. Direct payments for healthcare Work to implement direct payments for CHC is well advanced. Local Health Boards are being supported through:
The draft National Health Service (Direct Payments) (Wales) Regulations 2026 were laid before the Senedd earlier this month and are due to be debated on 24 March. I will therefore provide further information in respect of these in a fortnight's time. 3. Regulation, Inspection and Workforce provisions From 1 April 2026, social care providers must publish their annual returns on their own website, by 30 June each year. This will enable people – including prospective service users and their families – to readily access information about the care and support available from the provider. New requirements for providers wishing to cancel their registration will enhance the management of service closures with clear regard to individuals' wellbeing; and strengthened investigatory powers will support CIW to address risks linked to unregistered provision, improving safeguarding and oversight. Amendments enabling SCW to extend interim orders for up to 18 months will strengthen regulatory processes for the social care workforce by reducing unnecessary delays and ensuring public protection throughout investigations. Funding and Support for Implementation Successful delivery of these reforms depends on sustained investment and strong partnership working. The Welsh Government has made significant funding available to support local authorities, regional partnerships, health boards and providers in preparing for implementation. Support for children's services transformation
This capital funding is enabling local authorities to expand residential capacity, develop new provision and reduce reliance on for‑profit placements. We are also funding the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru to provide national coordination, strategic oversight and direct support to local authorities during the transition. Support for social care providers
Support for health boards on direct payments
Engagement and Co‑production Co‑production remains central to implementation. We will continue to work closely with local authorities, health boards, providers, third‑sector partners, disabled people's organisations and care‑experienced young people to ensure delivery remains grounded in lived experience and operational reality. Conclusion The Health and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025 marks a major transformation in how care and support are delivered across Wales. It will reshape children's social care; enhance autonomy for people eligible for continuing care; and strengthen regulation and oversight of social care services. I want to acknowledge the leadership of Julie Morgan MS, whose compassion and determination helped shape the Bill before its introduction and laid vital foundations for these reforms. I also extend sincere thanks to the officials who have worked tirelessly to prepare the legislation for implementation. Their professionalism and expertise have been crucial in developing the primary and secondary legislation, guidance and, working with external partners, operational arrangements needed to bring the Act into effect. Finally, I thank all key partners and stakeholders — including local authorities, Local Health Boards, CIW, SCW, providers, representative bodies, children's and disability organisations, and those with lived experience. Their insight and commitment have been invaluable. I wish all concerned success in continuing the work to ensure the Act translates into practical, deliverable and real change for the people of Wales. Documents |