Wales. welsh assembly government

This paper considers cash for care as reflected in direct payments and the more recent development of individual budgets in England. While the momentum to roll out individual budgets gathers pace in England, Wales has embarked on a more cautious approach in wishing to evaluate the impact of individual budgets on social services. The paper identifies some of the far reaching implications of cash for care in general and individual budgets in particular, for service users, carers ‐ both paid and informal ‐ and for the social work profession.

The article discusses the legislative statement issued by Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas on the Carers Legislative Competence Order in the Welsh Assembly on December 9, 2008. Thomas said there were still key areas that were not being consistently addressed across Wales including young carers who wants recognition and support where possible. But Thomas clarified that young carers should not have the responsibility that was inappropriate to their age or capacity. Thomas also proposed to include all ages in the definition of carers.

The article presents information about the written parliamentary questions from the Welsh Assembly during the period of October 19 to 26, 2006. Questions to the Minister of Culture regarding the quality of Public Libraries, to the Minister of Education regarding the newly-qualified teachers and their answers are presented. Questions regarding support for young carers, number of pupils taking A-levels Science and Mathematics in 2005-06, and risk of fire in schools are also presented.