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Gan fy mod wedi ymrwymo cyn hyn i fwrw ymlaen â’r diwygiadau i’r gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yng Nghymru mewn ffordd dryloyw a chydweithredol, rwyf heddiw’n rhannu ag Aelodau’r Cynulliad y bwriad polisi ar gyfer y prif reoliadau y byddwn yn cynnig eu gwneud dan ddarpariaethau Bil Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol a Llesiant (Cymru).  
Cytunais cyn hyn i roi gwybod i’r Aelodau ymlaen llaw beth yw’r syniadau polisi yng nghyswllt defnyddio’r pwerau i wneud is\-ddeddfwriaeth a fydd yn rhoi manylion y fframwaith diwygiedig ar gyfer Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yng Nghymru. Rwy’n cadw at yr addewid hwnnw heddiw drwy roi’r wybodaeth hon gerbron yr Aelodau. Deallaf mai’r hyn y bydd Aelodau’n poeni fwyaf yn ei gylch, yn gwbl ddealladwy, yw’r datganiadau bwriad polisi sy’n ymwneud ag asesu, cymhwystra a chynllunio gofal, a materion allweddol eraill. Ond mae cwmpas polisi’r Bil yn ehangach na hyn, ac mae ystod eang hefyd i’r datganiadau bwriad polisi.  Hyderaf y bydd yr Aelodau’n croesawu hyn.

Bydd yr Aelodau’n ymwybodol iawn fy mod wedi paratoi nifer fawr o ddatganiadau ysgrifenedig er mwyn datgan fy marn ynglŷn â llawer o’r meysydd polisi sy’n cael eu cyffwrdd gan y Bil. Mae’r datganiad ysgrifenedig hwn, a’r ddogfen bwriad polisi sydd ynghlwm wrtho, yn rhan o’r broses barhaus hon o ddatblygu polisi ac ymgysylltu. Mewn rhai meysydd – megis talu am ofal cymdeithasol – rydym yn gweithio mewn sefyllfa sy’n newid o hyd ac mae angen i ni ddatblygu ein hagenda polisi ein hunain yn ogystal ag ymateb i’r hyn sy’n digwydd mewn gweinyddiaethau eraill. Mewn meysydd eraill, rydym yn dal i ymgysylltu’n helaeth â rhanddeiliaid, er mwyn casglu gwybodaeth a fydd yn ein helpu i ddatblygu’n cynlluniau gweithredu, ac ni fyddai’n briodol i ni ffurfio bwriad polisi rhy benodol cyn bod y gweithgaredd hwn wedi dwyn ffrwyth ac yn barod i’w ystyried. Ym mhob maes, rydym yn ceisio ymgysylltu â’n rhanddeiliaid yn y gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, a’r sectorau annibynnol a gwirfoddol, a gwrando’n astud arnynt.

Mae’r datganiadau bwriad polisi ar gyfer pob darn neu grŵp o is\-deddfwriaethau yn siarad drostynt eu hunain i raddau helaeth. Er hyn, mae nifer o faterion allweddol yr hoffwn dynnu sylw’r Aelodau atynt. Mae pob cyfeiriad at adran neu ran yn cyfeirio at y Bil fel y’i diwygiwyd yn ystod yr ail gam.

Asesu anghenion lleol

Mae Adran 11, rhan 2, o’r Bil yn nodi bod gan awdurdodau lleol a Byrddau Iechyd Lleol ddyletswydd i weithio gyda’i gilydd er mwyn asesu maint anghenion am ofal a chymorth (gan gynnwys anghenion gofalwyr) yn ardal yr awdurdod lleol, ac i ba raddau nad yw anghenion am ofal a chymorth yn cael eu diwallu, pa wasanaethau sy’n ofynnol er mwyn diwallu’r anghenion hynny ac ystod y gwasanaethau sydd eu hangen er mwyn atal, oedi neu leihau’r angen am ofal a chymorth. Bydd y gofyniad newydd hwn sy’n ymwneud ag asesu’r boblogaeth hefyd yn golygu ei bod yn ofynnol asesu’r angen am wasanaethau yn yr iaith Gymraeg. Bydd awdurdodau lleol wedyn yn gallu cynllunio er mwyn sicrhau bod y gwasanaethau sy’n cael eu cyflenwi’n adlewyrchu’r strategaeth fel y mae wedi’i nodi yn ‘Mwy na Geiriau’, ein Fframwaith Strategol ar gyfer Gwasanaethau Cymraeg mewn Iechyd, Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol a Gofal Cymdeithasol. Mae’r broses asesu cynllunio hon yn elfen ganolog o’r gallu i ddiwallu anghenion unigolion a’r boblogaeth gyfan. Mae dyletswyddau Adran 11 yn hollbwysig hefyd er mwyn newid y canolbwynt a’r trefniadau cynllunio i gynnwys gwasanaethau ar gyfer atal ac ymyrryd yn gynnar. Bwriadaf sicrhau bod y rheoliadau a fydd yn cael eu gwneud dan yr adran hon yn nodi’r trefniadau y bydd yn ofynnol i Awdurdodau Lleol a Byrddau Iechyd Lleol eu rhoi ar waith yn eu hasesiad angen lleol ar gyfer pobl ag anghenion gofal a chymorth, gan gynnwys nodi’r angen, â phwy y dylid ymgynghori, amlder asesiadau, a chyhoeddi gwybodaeth am asesiadau gofal a chymorth a gwasanaethau ataliol. Cefnogir y dyletswyddau asesu hyn gan y dyletswyddau i hybu cydweithredu ac integreiddio gwaith cynllunio a darparu sy’n cael eu nodi yn adrannau 152\-159, rhan 9\. Adran y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol fydd â’r cyfrifoldeb rheng flaen ar gyfer hyn oll, felly bydd rôl arwain a galluogi cyfarwyddwr y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yn un ganolog.

Rôl cyfarwyddwyr gwasanaethau cymdeithasol

Mae Adran 134(1\) o’r Bil yn nodi bod yn rhaid i awdurdod lleol benodi swyddog, a elwir yn gyfarwyddwr gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, at ddibenion ei swyddogaethau gwasanaethau cymdeithasol (fel y nodir yn rhan 8\). O dan adran 134(2\), mae angen rheoliadau (neu God Ymarfer wedi’i gyhoeddi dan adran 135\) i nodi’r cymwyseddau allweddol ar gyfer y rôl honno sydd, yn eu tro, yn ofynnol er mwyn sicrhau bod y swyddogaethau a restrir yn Atodlen 2 yn cael eu cyflawni.  Bydd y cymwyseddau hyn yn gysylltiedig â gofynion ehangach y Bil, yn enwedig yng nghyswllt llais a rheolaeth a lles. O ystyried y dirwedd newydd a gyflwynir gan y Bil, mae angen canolbwyntio ar rôl y cyfarwyddwr i gyflawni’r swyddogaethau gwasanaethau cymdeithasol sy’n cael eu nodi yn y Bil. Mae’r rhain yn cynnwys lles, cynllunio gwasanaethau ar gyfer anghenion y boblogaeth, gwasanaethau ataliol, cyngor a chymorth gyda gwybodaeth, cymhwystra ac asesu, diogelu, cydweithredu a gweithio mewn partneriaeth, hyrwyddo mentrau cymdeithasol, ac integreiddio iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol. Rôl y cyfarwyddwr yw rhoi arweiniad yn y sector, gan sicrhau bod y dyletswyddau sy’n cael eu nodi yn y Bil yn cael eu cyflawni drwy’r awdurdod lleol yn ei gyfanrwydd. Bwriadaf i’r rheoliadau ddarparu eglurder a thryloywder ynglŷn â’r cymwyseddau ond credaf hefyd fod angen Cod Ymarfer dan adran 135\. Gwelaf y Cod hwn fel diweddariad o’r Canllawiau Statudol ar Swyddogaeth ac Atebolrwydd Cyfarwyddwyr Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, sy’n mynd yn llawer ehangach na chymwyseddau.

  
Asesiad unigol

Mae rhan 3 o’r Bil yn ymestyn yr hawl i asesiad i blant, oedolion a gofalwyr sydd angen gofal a chymorth neu sy’n ymddangos bod arnynt angen gofal a chymorth.  Mae adran 24 yn galluogi Gweinidogion Cymru i wneud rhagor o ddarpariaethau yn ymwneud â chyflawni asesiadau anghenion.  Er mwyn sicrhau tegwch ac eglurder drwy Gymru gyfan o ran y ffordd y mae pobl yn ymarfer eu hawliau newydd, a’r ffordd y mae awdurdod lleol yn defnyddio asesiadau, bwriadaf i’r rheoliadau ddarparu fframwaith cydlynol a fydd yn; sicrhau cydymffurfiad drwy gefnogi awdurdodau lleol wrth iddynt gyflawni eu dyletswyddau o ddydd i ddydd; a chefnogi unigolion a’r llysoedd drwy sicrhau bod hawliau pobl a threfniadau gweinyddol awdurdodau lleol wedi cael eu sefydlu yn unol â’r gyfraith ac mewn modd teg a chyson.

Rhagwelaf y bydd rheoliadau’n rhagnodi cyfres o ofynion craidd ar gyfer pob grŵp; plant, oedolion a gofalwyr, gan adlewyrchu’r gwahanol nodweddion, amgylchiadau ac amcanion polisi sy’n ffactorau canolog a allai effeithio ar anghenion gofal a chymorth yr unigolyn hwnnw.

Cymhwystra

Ar ôl cynnal asesiad ar gyfer plentyn, oedolyn neu ofalwr (boed y gofalwr hwnnw’n blentyn ynteu’n oedolyn) dan adrannau 16, 18 a 21, os bydd yr awdurdod lleol yn penderfynu bod ar y person hwnnw angen gofal a chymorth, mae adran 26 o’r Bil yn nodi ei bod yn ofynnol i’r awdurdod lleol benderfynu a yw anghenion y person hwnnw’n bodloni’r meini prawf cymhwystra. Mae’r pwerau rheoleiddio yn galluogi Gweinidogion Cymru i ymateb i newidiadau mewn polisi, ymarfer gofal cymdeithasol ac amgylchiadau eraill dros gyfnod a’u hadlewyrchu.  Bwriadaf i’r rheoliadau dan adran 26 ragnodi’r fframwaith/meini prawf cymhwystra cenedlaethol a fydd yn berthnasol i blentyn, oedolyn a gofalwr dan Ran 4, ac y bydd yn rhaid i awdurdodau lleol Cymru eu defnyddio. Ar gyfer pob categori, gall rheoliadau ragnodi’r gwahanol anghenion ac amgylchiadau y mae’n rhaid i’r awdurdod lleol eu hystyried, a thrwy hynny alluogi gwahanol amgylchiadau i fod yn berthnasol i wahanol gategorïau o bobl, gan adlewyrchu’r effaith y mae eu hanghenion yn ei chael ar yr unigolyn.  Er enghraifft yn y fframwaith cymhwystra ar gyfer oedolion, gellir disgrifio angen cymwys yn wahanol gan ddibynnu ar anghenion ac amgylchiadau’r person, gan arwain at nifer o is feini prawf. Bydd hyn yn berthnasol hefyd yng nghyswllt cymhwystra plant. Ni waeth pa benderfyniadau sy’n cael eu gwneud ynglŷn â meini prawf cymhwystra, mae gan awdurdodau lleol ddyletswydd i ddiwallu anghenion person er mwyn ei amddiffyn (“pasbortio”), a bwriadaf nodi mewn rheoliadau feini prawf y gall awdurdodau lleol eu cymhwyso wrth ymdrin â phobl mewn sefyllfaoedd o’r fath. Bydd Aelodau’n dymuno nodi fy mod wedi ymrwymo i wneud y rheoliadau hyn drwy'r weithdrefn uwchgadarnhaol.

Bydd gwaith manwl gyda rhanddeiliaid yn dechrau ym mis Ionawr 2014 er mwyn ffurfio a mireinio gwahanol gategorïau ac amgylchiadau personau sydd ag anghenion cymwys.  Bydd ymgysylltu ehangach ynglŷn â’r rhain yng ngwanwyn 2014 cyn yr ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus terfynol ar y rheoliadau a’r Cod Ymarfer yn 2014/15\.

Cynlluniau Gofal a Chymorth a Chynlluniau Gofal

Mae’r Bil yn nodi, pan fo gan awdurdod lleol ddyletswydd tuag at blentyn, oedolyn neu ofalwr dan adrannau 28, 30, 33 neu 34 o ran 4, bod yn rhaid iddo baratoi cynllun gofal a chymorth, neu gynllun cymorth yn achos gofalwr sy’n blentyn/oedolyn. Mae’r rhain yn bobl fydd ag angen cymwys – yn bodloni’r meini prawf cymhwystra perthnasol a nodir mewn rheoliadau a fydd yn cael eu gwneud dan adran 26 (3\). Bydd cymhlethdod a difrifoldeb anghenion unigolyn yn pennu cwmpas a manylion y cynllun gofal a chymorth, ac ystod yr ymyriadau a’r gweithwyr proffesiynol a fydd yn cyfrannu tuag at y math o gymorth ac amlder adolygiadau. Mae cynlluniau gofal a chymorth yn seiliedig ar yr asesiad o anghenion yr unigolyn, ei amgylchiadau, a’r canlyniadau sydd i’w cyflawni, a bydd lefel y rhagnodi’n wahanol ym mhob grŵp o gynlluniau gofal a chymorth. Bydd y cynllun hefyd yn nodi cyfraniadau unigolyn tuag at ei ofal a’i gymorth ac unrhyw drefniadau taliadau uniongyrchol. Bydd pwyslais gwahanol ym mhob achos. Mae adrannau 45 a 46 yn galluogi Gweinidogion Cymru i wneud rhagor o ddarpariaethau yn ymwneud â pharatoi ac adolygu cynlluniau gofal a chymorth, gan y bydd angen diwygio’r manylion yn y maes hwn dros gyfnod. Bydd rheoliadau’n sicrhau, os yw’n ymarferol, bod gweithwyr proffesiynol yn gweithio ar y cyd i ddarparu gofal a chymorth integredig wrth gyflawni’r canlyniadau sydd yn y cynllun, ac yn gofalu bod y cynlluniau’n cael eu hadolygu’n rheolaidd er mwyn sicrhau bod anghenion/amgylchiadau sy’n newid a chanlyniadau’n cael eu hadlewyrchu a’u rhoi ar waith yn y cynlluniau. Bwriadaf sicrhau y bydd rheoliadau, sy’n cael eu cefnogi gan God Ymarfer y bydd yn rhaid i awdurdodau lleol gydymffurfio ag ef, yn rhagnodi cyfres o ofynion craidd ar gyfer pob grŵp \- plant, oedolion neu ofalwyr \- gyda’r rhagnodiad ar gyfer pob grŵp yn amrywio gan ddibynnu ar yr amgylchiadau. Bydd y gofyniad am gynlluniau gofal a chymorth, ac am adolygiad o’r cynlluniau gofal a chymorth/cynlluniau cymorth (yn achos gofalwyr), yn cael ei bennu gan gyfuniad o’r rheoliadau a’r Cod Ymarfer. Bwriadaf sicrhau y bydd y rheoliadau a’r Cod Ymarfer, gyda’i gilydd, yn helpu i gyflawni nod y polisi o sicrhau bod gan bob unigolyn gynllun integredig, cydlynol.

Hygludedd

Mae Adran 47 o’r Bil yn darparu ar gyfer hygludedd gofal a chymorth ac ailasesu plant ac oedolion y mae gan yr awdurdod lleol ddyletswydd mewn cysylltiad â hwy dan adrannau 28 neu 30 o’r Bil. Mae’r adran hon yn ymwneud â phlant ac oedolion sydd ag anghenion cymwys neu sy’n cael eu pasbortio er mwyn eu hamddiffyn, ac mae’r ddarpariaeth yn ceisio sicrhau dilyniant yn y gofal i bobl ag angen cymwys sy’n symud i ardaloedd awdurdodau lleol eraill yng Nghymru. Gall rheoliadau wneud darpariaeth bellach yn ymwneud â’r camau y dylid eu cymryd, y materion y mae’n rhaid i’r ‘awdurdod derbyn’ eu hystyried ac ym mha achosion y dylai’r dyletswyddau sy’n ymwneud â hygludedd gael eu datgymhwyso. Bwriadaf i’r rheoliadau a’r Cod Ymarfer nodi;    


* cyfrifoldebau’r awdurdod anfon, gan gynnwys isafswm yr wybodaeth sydd i’w rhannu rhwng yr awdurdodau anfon a derbyn;
* y disgwyl i’r awdurdod derbyn sicrhau dilyniant yn y gofal, yn seiliedig ar yr hyn a nodwyd yn y cynllun gofal, nes bydd yr awdurdod derbyn yn cynnal adolygiad ac ailasesiad o anghenion gofal a chymorth y person;
* amserlenni yn nodi cyn pa bryd y mae’n rhaid rhannu’r wybodaeth; ac
* amserlenni yn nodi pa bryd y mae’n rhaid i’r awdurdod derbyn adolygu / ailasesu’r pecyn gofal fel y nodwyd yn y cynllun.

Gallaf sicrhau’r aelodau y bydd y Cod Ymarfer yn nodi’n glir iawn y disgwylir i awdurdodau lleol, wrth gyflawni eu dyletswyddau, sicrhau hygludedd gofal a chymorth i bobl ag anghenion, a chymorth i’r rhai sy’n gofalu amdanynt, pan fo’r naill a’r llall yn symud i awdurdod lleol arall yng Nghymru. Ategir y Cod Ymarfer hwn gan hawl gofalwyr i ofyn am asesiad o’u hanghenion cymorth eu hunain.  

Codi ffioedd ac asesiadau ariannol

O ran codi ffioedd ac asesiadau ariannol dan ran 5, mae’r polisi’n dal i esblygu er mwyn cyflawni fy ymrwymiad i gyflwyno diwygiadau i’r trefniadau talu am ofal o fis Ebrill 2016 ymlaen. Felly, bydd y gwaith o ddatblygu’r dewisiadau ar gyfer y diwygiadau hyn yn digwydd yn ystod 2014 gyda chynrychiolwyr o lywodraeth leol, y rhai sy’n derbyn gofal a’r rhai sy’n eu cynrychioli, a bydd Gweinidogion Cymru'n gwneud penderfyniadau terfynol ynglŷn â'r ffordd ymlaen yn hydref 2014\. Byddaf yn gwneud Datganiad Ysgrifenedig ar wahân i’r Aelodau ynglŷn â’r cynlluniau hyn cyn bo hir. Er hyn, mae rhai egwyddorion allweddol y gellir eu hamlinellu nawr.

Mae adran 50 o’r Bil yn rhoi pŵer i awdurdod lleol godi tâl am ddarparu neu am drefnu i ddarparu gofal a chymorth dan adrannau 28 i 36 er mwyn diwallu anghenion person, neu am sefydlu trefniadau i ddiwallu’r anghenion hynny. Polisi Llywodraeth Cymru ers tro bellach, os yw awdurdod lleol yn gofyn i berson dalu tâl am ofal a chymorth, neu os codir tâl arno gan awdurdod lleol am wneud trefniadau i ddiwallu anghenion, yw na ddylid disgwyl i unigolyn dalu tâl o’r fath oni bai fod ganddo ddigon o fodd ariannol. Y polisi ers tro hefyd, lle bo hyn yn digwydd, yw sicrhau cysondeb wrth asesu modd ariannol yr unigolion hyn fel bod pawb yn cael ei drin yn gyfartal. Fy mwriad felly drwy’r rheoliadau sydd i’w gwneud o dan y Bil yw ailddatgan y polisïau hyn fel rhan o’n polisi yn y dyfodol ar dalu am ofal cymdeithasol preswyl a dibreswyl.

O ganlyniad, rhaid i reoliadau dan adran 55 o’r Bil wneud darpariaeth yn ymwneud â dyletswydd awdurdod lleol i gynnal asesiad ariannol os yw’n credu y byddai’n codi tâl er mwyn diwallu anghenion person am ofal a chymorth. Mae’r rheoliadau sy’n bodoli’n barod a chanllawiau statudol a wnaethpwyd dan y ddeddfwriaeth bresennol yn nodi mathau penodol o adnoddau ariannol a allai fod ym meddiant person sy’n derbyn gofal a chymorth, ac yn nodi a ddylai’r rhain gael eu hystyried fel incwm ynteu gyfalaf, a sut y dylid ymdrin â phob un mewn asesiad ariannol.  Fy mwriad drwy’r rheoliadau sydd i’w gwneud dan adran 55 o’r Bil yw cadw darpariaethau o’r fath fel rhan o’m diwygiadau i’r trefniadau ar gyfer talu am ofal. O ganlyniad, wrth lunio’r diwygiadau hynny, ystyrir pa fathau penodol o incwm a chyfalaf ddylai gael eu hystyried neu eu diystyru mewn asesiad ariannol er mwyn sicrhau cydraddoldeb a chysondeb wrth ymdrin â’r rhai sy’n cael asesiad o’r fath.  Fel sy’n digwydd ar hyn o bryd, bwriadaf wneud darpariaeth mewn rheoliadau hefyd i ganiatáu i awdurdod lleol, mewn rhai sefyllfaoedd, i beidio ag ymarfer ei ddyletswyddau i gynnal asesiad ariannol o berson os yw’n credu y byddai’n codi tâl er mwyn diwallu ei anghenion am ofal a chymorth (er enghraifft lle mae lefel isel o ofal a chymorth yn cael ei darparu a thâl sefydlog bychan yn cael ei godi amdano a lle na fyddai’n briodol gwneud asesiad ariannol llawn, neu lle bo angen brys neu annisgwyl am ofal a chymorth yn codi ar fyr rybudd).  

Yn dilyn asesiad ariannol, rhaid i awdurdodau lleol wneud penderfyniad dan adran 57(1\) o’r Bil ynglŷn â gallu person i dalu tâl. Dan y ddeddfwriaeth bresennol, mae rheoliadau a chanllawiau statudol yn nodi lefelau penodol o incwm a chyfalaf y gall person sy’n derbyn gofal a chymorth eu cael a sut y dylid ymdrin â’r rhain wrth benderfynu ynglŷn â gallu person i dalu tâl am ei ofal a’i gymorth.  Bwriadaf gadw’r ddarpariaeth hon mewn rheoliadau a fydd yn cael eu gwneud dan y Bil.

Fel rhan o’r gwaith o ddatblygu’n trefniadau ar gyfer talu am ofal yn y dyfodol rwyf eisoes wedi cadarnhau y byddwn yn cadw’r egwyddor o uchafswm tâl wythnosol am wasanaethau dibreswyl ym mhob rhan o Gymru. Ystyrir cymhwyso agweddau eraill ar y pwerau gwneud rheoliadau dan adran 52(1\) hefyd. Bydd hyn yn cynnwys, er enghraifft, a ddylid pennu uchafswm ar gyfer gofal a chymorth penodol, neu ar gyfer gofal a chymorth am gyfnod penodol, neu ar gyfer rhoi trefniadau ar waith i ddiwallu anghenion.

Gall rheoliadau dan adran 53 hefyd wneud darpariaeth sy’n datgymhwyso’r pŵer i godi tâl. Mae hyn yn adlewyrchu’r ddeddfwriaeth godi tâl bresennol, y gellir datgymhwyso codi tâl oddi tani mewn nifer o achosion.  Bwriadaf barhau i ddatgymhwyso codi tâl os yw hynny’n briodol, ac ystyrir y sefyllfaoedd, y personau a’r mathau penodol o ofal a chymorth na ddylid codi taliadau mewn cysylltiad â hwy.

Adolygu taliadau

Mewn achosion lle gellir codi tâl, mae’n bwysig bod trefniadau clir a chyson wedi cael eu gwneud er mwyn caniatáu i berson gwestiynu neu herio taliadau gofal a chymorth a godir arno. Bydd rheoliadau dan adran 53 yn ein galluogi i sefydlu system adolygu ar gyfer pob achos lle codir tâl.  Bydd hyn yn sicrhau bod person sydd wedi cael ei asesu fel un y mae’n ofynnol iddo dalu am ofal a chymorth gael adolygiad o’r tâl pe bai’n credu bod y tâl yn anghywir neu’n amhriodol.  

Dan y rheoliadau presennol a gafodd eu gwneud dan Fesur Codi Ffioedd am Wasanaethau Gofal Cymdeithasol (Cymru) 2010, mae proses adolygu wedi’i sefydlu ar gyfer penderfyniadau codi tâl sy’n cael eu gwneud mewn cysylltiad â darparu gwasanaethau cymdeithasol dibreswyl.  Bwriadaf gadw’r ddarpariaeth hon dan reoliadau sydd i’w gwneud dan y Bil a’i hymestyn i bob achos arall lle codir tâl. Pwrpas hyn yw sicrhau bod modd i berson ofyn i awdurdod lleol adolygu tâl neu benderfyniad i godi tâl os yw’n ymwneud â darparu neu drefnu gofal a chymorth dan y Bil, neu sefydlu trefniadau ar gyfer gofal a chymorth.    

Taliadau gohiriedig

Mewn achosion lle gofynnir i berson dalu tâl am y gofal a’r cymorth y mae’n ei dderbyn, neu am drefniadau i ddiwallu ei anghenion, a bod ei eiddo’n cael ei ystyried, mae ein polisi’n nodi na ddylai’r person orfod gwerthu’r eiddo hwnnw ar unwaith i dalu’r tâl hwn. Yn hytrach, dylai gael yr hawl i ohirio hyn tan adeg fwy priodol.  

Dan y rheoliadau presennol, mae’n ofynnol i awdurdodau lleol weithredu cynllun taliadau gohiriedig ar gyfer y rhai hynny â buddiant mewn eiddo y mae’n ofynnol iddynt dalu costau llety a gofal preswyl.  Bwriadaf gadw a chryfhau’r ddarpariaeth hon dan reoliadau a fydd yn cael eu gwneud dan adran 60 o’r Bil, gan wella’r modd y mae cytundebau o’r fath yn cael eu gweithredu, a chaniatáu iddynt gael eu teilwra i fodloni amgylchiadau unigolyn. Bwriadaf ymestyn y ddarpariaeth hon hefyd i achosion eraill lle codir tâl.   
Taliadau uniongyrchol

Polisi Llywodraeth Cymru yw rhoi mwy o ddewis a mwy o reolaeth i’r rhai hynny sy’n datblygu anghenion am ofal a chymorth, a thrwy hynny roi mwy o lais iddynt ynglŷn â’r ffordd y mae’r anghenion hyn yn cael eu diwallu. Un o’r prif ffyrdd o gyflawni hyn yw drwy roi taliad uniongyrchol iddynt er mwyn iddynt allu gwneud y trefniadau gofal a chymorth hynny eu hunain.  Mae fy swyddogion wedi bod yn gweithio gyda’r Grŵp Trosolwg Taliadau Uniongyrchol (sy’n cynrychioli awdurdodau lleol a sefydliadau sy’n ymwneud ag anabledd a gofalwyr) ar set o egwyddorion ar gyfer darparu taliadau uniongyrchol yn y dyfodol dan ddarpariaethau’r Bil.  Mae’r egwyddorion hyn yn ymdrin â meysydd ymarfer da yng nghyswllt taliadau uniongyrchol megis cymhwystra a dewis, darparu gwybodaeth, cymorth, adolygiadau a chanlyniadau, gwerth taliadau uniongyrchol a sut y maent yn cael eu cyfrifo.  Mae Gweinidogion Cymru wedi cytuno ar yr egwyddorion a byddant yn cael eu defnyddio fel sail i ddatblygu’r rheoliadau a’r Cod Ymarfer ar daliadau uniongyrchol o dan y Bil.

Yn ogystal â chadw a gwella’r modd y mae taliadau uniongyrchol yn cael eu gweithredu ar hyn o bryd yng Nghymru, byddai rheoliadau a wneir dan adrannau 41, 42 a 43, yn rhan 4 o’r Bil yn ceisio cynyddu’r nifer sy’n manteisio ar daliadau uniongyrchol drwy sicrhau bod rhagor o unigolion ag anghenion gofal a chymorth yn ymwybodol o’r dewis hwn a beth y byddai’n ei olygu iddynt hwy, a’u bod yn cael eu cynorthwyo i wneud dewis deallus. Yn fwyaf arbennig, bydd y pŵer gwneud rheoliadau’n ei gwneud yn ofynnol i Weinidogion Cymru, drwy’r rheoliadau a’r cod ymarfer, nodi sut y dylai trefniadau o’r fath weithredu yn y dyfodol drwy nodi:  


* y camau y dylai awdurdodau lleol eu cymryd er mwyn sicrhau bod y rhai sydd ag anghenion gofal a chymorth yn ymwybodol o’r dewis i dderbyn tâl uniongyrchol, beth mae hyn yn ei olygu a sut y gallai fod o fudd iddynt hwy;
* y cymorth y dylid ei roi i berson ag anghenion gofal a chymorth, wrth iddo benderfynu a yw am gael tâl uniongyrchol ac wrth iddo reoli tâl os yw wedi dewis cael un.

Plant sy’n derbyn gofal

Mae Rhan 6 o’r Bil yn cynnwys pwerau gwneud rheoliadau sy’n ymwneud ag asesu; cynlluniau gofal a chymorth; adolygu cynlluniau ac achosion; a lleoliadau ac ymweliadau i blant sy’n derbyn gofal gan awdurdodau lleol.  Mae cyswllt anorfod rhwng pob un o’r setiau hyn o bwerau gwneud rheoliadau.  Gyda’i gilydd, byddant yn darparu ar gyfer dull cyson a chydlynol o gefnogi plant sy’n derbyn gofal.  Byddant yn sicrhau hawliau a hawlogaethau plant fel rhan o brif fframwaith corfforaethol effeithiol; un sy’n rhoi’r grym i blant sy’n derbyn gofal sicrhau gwell canlyniadau lles a gwella’u cyfleoedd bywyd.

Yn y cyd\-destun hwnnw, mae adrannau 74 a 75 o’r Bil yn gosod dyletswyddau penodol ar Weinidogion Cymru i gyflwyno rheoliadau yn ymwneud â’r trefniadau manwl y mae’n rhaid i awdurdodau lleol eu dilyn wrth baratoi cynlluniau gofal a chymorth, ac mae’r fframwaith ar gyfer eu hadolygu wedi’i nodi dan adrannau 90 i 93\. Mae’r pŵer gwneud rheoliadau’n ofynnol er mwyn nodi disgwyliadau Gweinidogion Cymru yng nghyswllt y materion y mae’n rhaid i awdurdodau lleol eu hystyried wrth iddynt gynorthwyo plant sy’n derbyn gofal i gael gwell canlyniadau lles. Bwriadaf sicrhau bod y rheoliadau a’r Cod Ymarfer yn rhagnodi set o ofynion craidd ar gyfer plant sy’n derbyn gofal a fydd yn sicrhau cysondeb â’r prosesau craidd dan Ran 4 ac yn cydnabod amgylchiadau ac anghenion penodol plant sy’n derbyn gofal, ac yn ategu’r cyfrifoldebau Rhianta Corfforaethol sy’n ddyledus i’r plant hyn.  

I gefnogi hyn, bwriadaf y bydd rheoliadau dan adran 78 yn gwneud darpariaeth ar gyfer lleoliadau a sefyllfaoedd lle nad yw plant yn byw gyda’u rhieni, ac ar gyfer y rhai sydd â chyfrifoldeb rhiant neu’r rhai sydd â Gorchymyn Preswylio.  Bydd y rheoliadau hyn yn rhoi dyletswyddau ar awdurdodau lleol i letya, diogelu a hybu lles plentyn a byddant yn nodi’r trefniadau sydd i’w gwneud gan awdurdodau lleol mewn cysylltiad ag iechyd ac addysg plant sy’n cael eu lleoli fel hyn.

Gan gydnabod ei bod yn bosibl y bydd angen lleoli rhai plant y tu allan i’r ardal, bwriadaf y bydd y rheoliadau a wneir o dan adran 78 hefyd yn ei nodi gofynion y bydd yn rhaid i awdurdodau lleol eu dilyn pan fyddant yn lleoli plant y tu allan i’w hardal, a sicrhau lles y plentyn wrth wneud hynny. Bydd y rheoliadau hyn yn nodi na ddylai’r awdurdod lleol leoli plentyn y tu allan i’r ardal lle mae’n byw fel arfer oni bai ei fod yn fodlon nad oes lleoliad ar gael yn yr ardal sy’n diwallu anghenion y plentyn, neu bod lleoliad y tu allan i’r ardal yn fwy cydnaws â lles y plentyn.

Mae Adran 83 yn galluogi rheoliadau a wnaed dan adran 78 i wneud darpariaeth bellach yn ymwneud â phlant sy’n derbyn gofal, mewn cysylltiad â lleoliadau gyda rhieni maeth awdurdodau lleol.  Bwriadaf ddefnyddio’r pŵer disgresiwn hwn i’r un perwyl â’r pwerau gwneud rheoliadau presennol, gan adlewyrchu yn eu hanfod ofynion Rheoliadau Gwasanaethau Maethu (Cymru). Byddaf hefyd yn ceisio gwneud rheoliadau yn ymwneud â chymeradwyo rhieni maeth awdurdodau lleol.

Mae gan awdurdodau lleol ddyletswydd i sicrhau ymweliadau a chysylltiad â phlant sy’n derbyn gofal ac eraill dan adran 88\. Gwyddom fod plant sy’n cael eu cadw’n gaeth neu’n cael eu cadw ar remand mewn sefydliad diogel yn debygol o brofi dirywiad yn eu canlyniadau lles o ganlyniad i gael eu cadw’n gaeth a’i bod yn bosibl y bydd arnynt angen cymorth i ailintegreiddio yn y gymuned ac atal rhagor o achosion o droseddu.  Bwriadaf sicrhau felly bod rheoliadau a Chod Ymarfer yn rhagnodi set o ofynion craidd ar gyfer y cynrychiolydd a fydd yn rhoi dyletswyddau ar awdurdodau lleol i gefnogi grwpiau penodol o blant tra maent yn y ddalfa a chynllunio ar gyfer eu rhyddhau.  Bydd y gwaith hwn yn adlewyrchu Papur Gwyrdd Llywodraeth Cymru “Cynigion i wella gwasanaethau yng Nghymru er mwyn diwallu anghenion plant a phobl ifanc sydd mewn perygl o ddod yn rhan o’r System Cyfiawnder Ieuenctid neu sydd eisoes yn rhan ohoni”.

Mae gan yr awdurdod lleol ddyletswydd dan adran 90 o’r Bil i benodi swyddog adolygu annibynnol ar gyfer achos pob plentyn. Nodir dyletswyddau’r unigolyn hwnnw dan adrannau 91, 92 a 93\. Yma, bwriadaf sicrhau bod rheoliadau a Chod Ymarfer yn rhagnodi set o ofynion craidd ar gyfer y swyddog adolygu annibynnol er mwyn hyrwyddo canlyniadau lles ar gyfer plant sy’n derbyn gofal drwy gynnal adolygiadau a herio’r awdurdod lleol, fel y Rhiant Corfforaethol, er mwyn sicrhau bod plant sy’n derbyn gofal yn cael eu cefnogi drwy’r canlyniadau a nodwyd yn eu cynllun gofal a chymorth. Prif ganlyniad y swyddogaeth hon fydd sicrhau bod gwaith i weithredu’r camau gweithredu cytunedig a nodwyd yng nghynllun gofal a chymorth y plentyn yn cael ei wneud mewn modd amserol a phriodol.

Mae’r Bil hefyd yn gosod dyletswydd ar awdurdod lleol dan adran 97 a 98 i benodi Cynghorydd Personol, i asesu’r angen am gyngor, cymorth a chefnogaeth ac i baratoi Cynllun Llwybr ar gyfer plant a phobl ifanc sydd â hawl i gymorth oherwydd eu bod yn blant sy’n derbyn gofal, neu wedi bod yn blant sy’n derbyn gofal.

Pwrpas Cynghorydd Personol yw cefnogi pobl ifanc sy’n derbyn gofal, neu sydd wedi bod yn derbyn gofal. Mae adran 98 yn nodi bod yn rhaid i Gynghorydd Personol wneud asesiad er mwyn canfod pa gyngor, cefnogaeth a chymorth y mae ar y person ifanc ei angen tra mae’n derbyn gofal ac ar ôl i’r cyfnod o dderbyn gofal ddod i ben.  Rhaid i asesiadau o’r fath gael eu cofnodi mewn Cynllun Llwybr. Unwaith eto, rhaid sicrhau cysondeb â’r prosesau craidd dan Ran 4, a’r trefniadau cynllunio ac adolygu gofal dan Ran 6\. Bwriadaf felly wneud rheoliadau yn nodi fy nisgwyliadau o ran swyddogaethau Cynghorydd Personol, a’r materion i’w cynnwys yn asesiad a Chynllun Llwybr plant a phobl ifanc sydd â hawl i gymorth dan yr adran hon.

Diogelu

Mae’r rheoliadau diogelu o dan adran 7 o'r Bil yn grŵp unffurf. Fel y gŵyr yr aelodau, sefydlais y Panel Cynghori ar Ddiogelu ym mis Gorffennaf 2013 i roi cyngor arbenigol i Lywodraeth Cymru ar gryfhau trefniadau diogelu ar gyfer oedolion a phlant yng Nghymru.  Mae’r panel eisoes wedi ymgymryd â phroses fanwl o ymgysylltu â sefydliadau a staff proffesiynol yn y sectorau cyhoeddus, annibynnol a phreifat ac yn y trydydd sector, a bydd y gwaith hwn yn parhau. Ynghyd â chyfarfodydd strategol allweddol, cynhaliwyd cyfres o weithdai a digwyddiad diogelu cenedlaethol, ac rwy’n falch fy mod wedi gallu mynd i’r digwyddiad hwn.  Cyflwynwyd adroddiad cyntaf y Panel i mi ym mis Tachwedd ac roedd yn canolbwyntio ar y rheoliadau y bydd angen eu llunio o ganlyniad i’r Bil. Bydd yr aelodau’n gweld o’r cyfeiriadau at y datganiadau bwriad polisi ar gyfer y grŵp hwn bod y gwaith yn y maes hwn yn dibynnu llawer iawn ar argymhellion y Panel, ac rwy’n ddiolchgar i’r Panel, a’r rhanddeiliaid sydd wedi ei gefnogi, am eu mewnbwn gwerthfawr hyd yn hyn.

Swyddogion awdurdodedig ar gyfer gorchmynion amddiffyn a chynorthwyo oedolion

Mae Adran 117 o’r Bil yn darparu ar gyfer Gorchmynion Amddiffyn a Chynorthwyo Oedolion newydd, a fydd yn galluogi gwasanaethau cymdeithasol i wneud cais i’r llysoedd am orchymyn i fynd i mewn i eiddo i siarad gyda rhywun y maent yn credu y gallai fod mewn perygl, heb ymyriad gan bobl eraill yn y tŷ a allai atal mynediad, er mwyn canfod a yw person yn gwneud penderfyniadau o’i wirfodd. Mae ‘swyddog awdurdodedig' yn berson sydd wedi cael ei awdurdodi gan yr awdurdod lleol at ddibenion gwneud cais am orchmynion amddiffyn a chynorthwyo oedolion a gweithredu’r gorchmynion hynny.  Mae materion hawliau dynol cymhleth i’w trafod yng nghyswllt y gorchmynion hyn, felly rhaid i unrhyw ymyriad fod yn briodol: bydd canllawiau statudol yn darparu’r manylion ar gyfer gweithredu gorchmynion yn gyson ac yn briodol.  Er mwyn sicrhau mai dim ond ymarferwyr â sgiliau a hyfforddiant digonol sy’n cyflawni’r rôl hon, er enghraifft y rhai hynny sydd â phrofiad o ymdrin ag esgeuluso neu drais domestig, mae rheoliadau’n rhoi’r hawl i Weinidogion Cymru osod cyfyngiadau yn nodi pwy all fod yn ‘swyddog awdurdodedig’. Bydd yn ofynnol i ‘swyddog awdurdodedig’ fod yn cael ei gyflogi gan bartner perthnasol, yn unol â’r diffiniad yn adran 152\. Yn unol ag argymhellion y Panel Cynghori ar Ddiogelu, bwriadwn gynnal rhaglen hyfforddi ar gyfer ‘swyddogion awdurdodedig’ fel bod gan ymarferwyr sgiliau penodol a digonol i gyflawni eu rôl.  Bydd rheoliadau’n ceisio adlewyrchu’r sgiliau sydd eu hangen i fod yn ‘swyddog awdurdodedig’ effeithiol.  
Bwrdd Diogelu Annibynnol Cenedlaethol

Mae Adran 122 o’r Bil yn darparu ar gyfer sefydlu Bwrdd Diogelu Annibynnol Cenedlaethol er mwyn sicrhau arweiniad strategol ar lefel genedlaethol yng Nghymru.  Dyletswyddau’r bwrdd yw cefnogi effeithiolrwydd trefniadau diogelu, adrodd am ddigonolrwydd trefniadau diogelu, a gwneud argymhellion i Weinidogion Cymru ynglŷn â sut y gellid gwella’r rhain.  

Yn unol ag egwyddor allweddol y model pobl sy’n rhedeg drwy’r Bil, bydd y bwrdd cenedlaethol yn ystyried trefniadau diogelu mewn cysylltiad â phlant ac oedolion.  Fodd bynnag, yn unol ag argymhellion adroddiad craffu Cam 1 y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol, a’m Panel Cynghori ar Ddiogelu, bydd rheoliadau’n darparu y gall y bwrdd weithredu ffrydiau gwaith penodol mewn cysylltiad â phlant ac oedolion ar wahân lle bo’n briodol er mwyn adlewyrchu anghenion ac amgylchiadau sy’n aml yn wahanol ar sail oedran.

Bydd y rheoliadau hefyd yn nodi’n glir beth yw rôl y bwrdd cenedlaethol yng nghyswllt y canlynol:  


* Derbyn, coladu a rhannu gwybodaeth ac arferion gorau;
* Canolbwyntio ar adnabod yn gynnar; ac
* Annog trefniadau gweithio mewn partneriaeth rhwng y bwrdd cenedlaethol, y bwrdd diogelu a sefydliadau allweddol yng Nghymru sydd â chyfrifoldebau diogelu.

Ynghyd â’r canllawiau cysylltiedig, bydd y rheoliadau hefyd yn nodi’n glir beth yw’r cysylltiad rhwng y bwrdd cenedlaethol, Gweinidogion Cymru a byrddau diogelu ynghyd â’r cysylltiad rhwng y bwrdd cenedlaethol ac asiantaethau unigol.

Bydd rheoliadau hefyd yn gofyn i’r bwrdd cenedlaethol sicrhau bod barn defnyddwyr gwasanaethau ac ymarferwyr yn cael ei hymgorffori’n effeithiol yn ei waith.  Gellir gwneud hyn drwy gynnal digwyddiad blynyddol i ymgysylltu â’r cyhoedd a chyfarfodydd â chadeiryddion byrddau diogelu a byddwn yn ystyried ymhellach, gyda rhanddeiliaid a defnyddwyr gwasanaethau, sut y gallem weithredu’r gofyniad hwn. Nodir gofynion manwl yn ymwneud ag adroddiad blynyddol y bwrdd cenedlaethol i Weinidogion Cymru, gan ganolbwyntio ar dystiolaeth o weithgaredd, ymgysylltu a gwella.

Byrddau Diogelu

Mae Adran 124 yn darparu ar gyfer sefydlu Byrddau Diogelu Plant ac Oedolion mewn ardaloedd penodol.  Pwrpas hyn yw galluogi partneriaethau diogelu amlasiantaethol i ffurfio Byrddau Diogelu Plant a Diogelu Oedolion newydd a mwy o faint at ddiben cydweithredu, a thrwy hynny sicrhau’r fframwaith mwyaf effeithiol sy’n bosibl er mwyn cefnogi’r lefelau uchel o gydweithredu sy’n ofynnol er mwyn sicrhau trefniadau diogelu ac amddiffyn effeithiol. Mae’r adran hon yn nodi’r cyrff y mae’n ofynnol iddynt fod yn bartneriaid i’r Bwrdd Diogelu ac yn nodi y dylai Gweinidogion Cymru, ar ôl ymgynghori â’r partneriaid hynny, enwi partner arweiniol ar gyfer byrddau diogelu o blith y cyrff a enwir yn y Bil. Bydd rheoliadau dan yr adran hon yn rhoi sylw i ddeiliadaeth, cyfrifoldebau a threfniadau trosglwyddo ar gyfer y partner arweiniol. Bydd darpariaeth hefyd ar gyfer nodi personau neu gyrff eraill fel partneriaid diogelu, ac i fyrddau gynnwys cynrychiolaeth leol arall.

Bwriadaf reoleiddio hefyd, dan adran 125, er mwyn nodi’r gweithdrefnau y bydd yn rhaid i fyrddau diogelu eu dilyn mewn cysylltiad â’u busnes, sut y dylai Byrddau weithio gyda’r Bwrdd Diogelu Annibynnol Cenedlaethol a phartneriaethau lleol eraill sy’n bodoli er mwyn gwella trefniadau diogelu, safonau y bydd yn rhaid i fyrddau diogelu eu bodloni er mwyn sicrhau eu bod yn effeithiol a manylion ynglŷn â sut y gall defnyddwyr gwasanaethau gymryd rhan yn eu gwaith.

Gall rheoliadau a wnaed dan adran 126 sicrhau bod cynlluniau blynyddol ac adroddiadau blynyddol byrddau diogelu’n cynnwys y deunydd gofynnol ac yn dangos effeithiolrwydd y bwrdd wrth ddiogelu plant ac oedolion yn ei ardal. Fy mwriad wrth reoleiddio, gan adlewyrchu cyngor y Panel Cynghori ar Ddiogelu, yw sicrhau bod cynlluniau blynyddol yn offeryn defnyddiol ac ymarferol at ddibenion gwerthuso ac atebolrwydd ac yn dangos sut y mae byrddau diogelu’n llwyddo i ddiogelu ac amddiffyn plant ac oedolion sydd mewn perygl yn effeithiol.

Ar hyn o bryd, gall unrhyw gorff wneud taliadau tuag at gynnal ei Fwrdd Diogelu Plant Lleol, ond yn ymarferol yr awdurdod lleol sydd wedi bod yn darparu’r rhan fwyaf o’r cyllid, os nad y cyfan.  Mae tystiolaeth yn awgrymu bod diffyg cyllid digonol a “chefnogaeth” addas gan bartneriaid yn cyfyngu ar eu gallu i gyflawni eu cyfrifoldebau. Bydd y Panel Cynghori ar Ddiogelu’n ystyried sut y gellir sicrhau bod Byrddau’n cael eu cyllido’n deg ac yn gyson ledled Cymru, a sut y gallai rheoliadau dan adran 128 hybu hynny.

Mae adran 129(2\) yn caniatáu i reoliadau gael eu gwneud ynglŷn â swyddogaethau partneriaid byrddau diogelu mewn cysylltiad â'r byrddau diogelu maent yn cael eu cynrychioli arnynt. Mae tystiolaeth yn awgrymu bod y rhan fwyaf o’r Byrddau Diogelu Plant Lleol presennol yn gweithio’n foddhaol, ond bod angen gwella’r berthynas rhwng aelodau statudol y byrddau, yn enwedig ym maes cyfathrebu a rhannu gwybodaeth. Fy mwriad yma yw sicrhau bod partneriaid statudol byrddau diogelu yn deall yn iawn beth yw eu rôl hwy ar y byrddau a pha swyddogaethau y mae angen iddynt eu cyflawni.   Bwriadaf i hyn sicrhau cydymffurfiad a dealltwriaeth lwyr rhwng partneriaid byrddau a chryfhau trefniadau diogelu ar gyfer oedolion a phlant.

Uno Byrddau Diogelu

Fel y gŵyr yr aelodau, mae’r Bil yn darparu fframwaith statudol ar gyfer cyflawni ymrwymiad Llywodraeth Cymru i integreiddio gwasanaethau cymdeithasol i gefnogi pobl o bob oed, gan hyrwyddo dull teg o ddarparu gwasanaethau.  Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i chwalu’r syniad bod gan oedolion a phlant anghenion a blaenoriaethau sy’n cystadlu yn erbyn ei gilydd ar sail oedran.  Mae’r pŵer i uno byrddau sydd yn adran 130 yn adlewyrchu’r model pobl sy’n rhan o’r Bil, a hefyd y trefniadau a fydd yn bodoli ar lefel genedlaethol. Dylwn bwysleisio, fodd bynnag, na fydd byrddau’n cael eu huno oni bai fod modd dangos y byddai gwneud hynny’n gwella trefniadau diogelu i bawb. Nid oes bwriad polisi i ddilyn y trywydd hwn ar hyn o bryd, a bydd proses ymgynghori lawn a thrwyadl yn cael ei rhoi ar waith os bydd angen cymryd unrhyw gamau i uno byrddau. Er mwyn rhoi rhagor o sicrwydd i’r aelodau, ac mewn ymateb i bryder a fynegwyd ynglŷn â’r ddarpariaeth hon, rwyf hefyd wedi cytuno mai dim ond drwy’r weithdrefn uwchgadarnhaol y byddai modd ymarfer y pŵer hwn, ac mae’r Bil, yn adran 131, bellach yn darparu ar gyfer hyn.

Gweithio mewn partneriaeth a chydweithio

Gall trefniadau gweithio mewn partneriaeth effeithiol wella canlyniadau i ddefnyddwyr gwasanaethau a mynediad at wasanaethau, osgoi darnio gwasanaethau, gwella’r defnydd o adnoddau drwy waith tîm amlddisgyblaethol a helpu i reoli’r galw am wasanaethau yn well. Fodd bynnag, fel y bydd yr aelodau’n sylweddoli mae’n bosibl, er bod deddfwriaeth berthnasol yn bodoli ers Deddf Iechyd 1999, mae’r gwaith o ffurfio partneriaethau a natur y partneriaethau hyn wedi bod yn araf ac yn amrywiol ledled Cymru. Fy mwriad polisi mewn cysylltiad â rhan 9, yw sicrhau bod trefniadau gweithio mewn partneriaeth effeithiol yn cael eu sefydlu fel bod modd darparu gwell gwasanaethau a fydd yn bodloni galw ac anghenion pobl ym mhob rhan o Gymru’n well. Felly, yn adran 156, mae’r Bil yn cynnwys pŵer rheoleiddio y bwriadaf iddo helpu i sefydlu trefniadau partneriaeth effeithiol er mwyn sicrhau gwell gwasanaethau, gofal a chymorth.  Mae’r pŵer hwn yn mynd ymhellach na’r pwerau presennol yn adran 36 o Ddeddf y Gwasanaeth Iechyd Gwladol (Cymru) 2006 a Mesur Llywodraeth Leol 2009 gan na fyddai angen rhoi tystiolaeth o ymarfer swyddogaethau’n annigonol neu ddiffyg cydweithio cyn rheoleiddio. Bydd y rheoliadau’n sicrhau bod modd gwneud trefniadau partneriaeth penodol rhwng awdurdodau lleol neu gyda byrddau iechyd lleol, a gallant nodi pa awdurdod lleol neu fyrddau iechyd lleol fydd yn cymryd rhan yn y trefniadau partneriaeth, nodi ffurf a chyfrifoldeb, gweithrediad a rheolaeth trefniadau partneriaeth gan gynnwys penodi a sefydlu unigolion neu dimau, a gwneud darpariaeth ar gyfer rhannu gwybodaeth. Bwriadaf sicrhau y bydd hyn yn cynnwys darpariaeth ar gyfer Gwasanaethau Integredig Cymorth i Deuluoedd.

Cyllidebau cyfun

Yn yr un modd, mae’r cynnydd tuag at gyllid a chyllidebau cyfun i gefnogi gweithio mewn partneriaeth wedi bod yn araf ac yn amrywiol ledled Cymru. Gall cyfuno adnoddau gefnogi tryloywder ac arwain at well gwybodaeth am wir gostau darparu gwasanaeth. Gall hefyd alluogi partneriaethau i ddyrannu a defnyddio adnoddau i ymateb yn fwy effeithiol i angen a galw am wasanaeth. Mae adran 157 yn ymwneud â chyllid ar gyfer trefniadau partneriaeth ac yn darparu pŵer rheoleiddio a all ei gwneud yn ofynnol i awdurdodau lleol a byrddau iechyd lleol sefydlu cronfa gyfun fel rhan o’u trefniadau partneriaeth. Mae hyn yn cefnogi gwell perchnogaeth a gall arwain at ymateb gwell i ateb y galw cynyddol ar wasanaethau drwy fanteisio i'r eithaf ar sgiliau, gwybodaeth ac arbenigedd gwaith timau amlddisgyblaethol ac osgoi dyblygu. Bwriad y rheoliadau hyn yw sicrhau bod awdurdodau lleol a byrddau iechyd lleol yn gwneud y defnydd mwyaf effeithiol o adnoddau, drwy eu hannog i gyfuno'u cyllidebau er mwyn darparu gwasanaethau penodol yn eu hardal leol. {}

Byrddau Partneriaeth

Mae byrddau partneriaeth yn chwarae rhan hanfodol wrth oruchwylio a llywodraethu trefniadau partneriaeth. Maent yn cynnig cyfle i gynnwys rhanddeiliaid lleol a gwella atebolrwydd cymunedol a democrataidd lleol. Wrth symud tuag at gyllidebau ac adnoddau cyfunol mae’n bwysicach fyth sicrhau bod gennym drefniadau llywodraethu ac atebolrwydd effeithiol. Byrddau o’r fath yw’r cyfrwng sy’n galluogi partneriaid i reoli a goruchwylio cynnydd a pherfformiad y bartneriaeth. Nod y rheoliadau y bwriadaf eu gwneud dan adran 158 yw caniatáu i fyrddau partneriaeth gael eu sefydlu a sicrhau aelodaeth briodol a threfniadau llywodraethu priodol ar gyfer byrddau o’r fath.

Y Gwasanaeth Mabwysiadu Cenedlaethol

Bydd yr aelodau’n ymwybodol bod y Bil yn darparu pwerau i Weinidogion Cymru roi cyfarwyddyd i awdurdodau lleol wneud trefniadau ar y cyd ar gyfer gwasanaethau mabwysiadu, yn adran 160\. Bydd hyn yn galluogi Llywodraeth Cymru i gyflawni ein dyheadau polisi mewn cysylltiad â Gwasanaeth Mabwysiadu Cenedlaethol pe bai’r camau a gymerir gan lywodraeth leoli ddarparu gwasanaeth mabwysiadu cenedlaethol yn aneffeithiol. Byddai’r pŵer i wneud cyfarwyddyd yn rhoi ystod o ddewisiadau i Weinidogion Cymru o ran sut y maent yn dewis sefydlu Gwasanaeth Mabwysiadu Cenedlaethol, pe bai angen camau ychwanegol er mwyn cyflawni’n bwriad.

Rydym i gyd yn cytuno ynglŷn â'r achos dros newid ac yn cytuno mai nawr yw'r adeg i newid; rwy'n cael fy nghalonogi gan y cydweithredu a'r trefniadau gweithio mewn partneriaeth rwyf wedi eu gweld ac rwyf yn disgwyl y bydd hyn yn troi’n gamau a chynnydd gwirioneddol. Rhaid i ni gofio bod plant wedi bod yn drifftio mewn gofal ers llawer gormod. Felly, os na fyddaf yn fodlon â’r cynlluniau gweithredu a ddarperir i mi gan lywodraeth leol, ni fyddaf yn petruso cyn defnyddio’r pwerau a ddarperir yn y Bil hwn.

  
Menter gymdeithasol

Gan droi’n ôl at ran 2, mae Adran 13 o’r Bil yn rhoi dyletswydd ar awdurdodau lleol i hyrwyddo mentrau cymdeithasol, mentrau cydweithredol, gwasanaethau sy’n cael eu harwain gan ddefnyddwyr a’r trydydd sector. Mae’r rheoliad yn golygu bod modd gwneud darpariaeth i egluro’r manylion yn yr adran hon, a fwriadwyd yn bennaf er mwyn annog awdurdodau lleol i weithio gydag ystod ehangach o ddarparwyr ar fodelau gwasanaeth newydd; yn enwedig mewn meysydd gofal cymdeithasol llai datblygedig.

Mae’r adran hon yn cysylltu â’r Bil ehangach drwy gefnogi datblygu modelau gwasanaeth newydd, trefniadau ymyrryd yn gynnar ac atal, a hyrwyddo dull gweithredu a fydd yn golygu bod modd newid y ffordd y mae gwasanaethau’n cael eu datblygu, eu dylunio a’u darparu. Bwriedir iddo hyrwyddo “sut” y bydd hyn yn cael ei wneud, ac un o’r prif agweddau fydd cryfhau llais a rheolaeth dinasyddion mewn cysylltiad â’r trefniadau newydd dan y Bil.

I gloi, rwy’n ffyddiog bod y datganiad hwn yn rhoi trosolwg defnyddiol o fwriadau polisi Llywodraeth Cymru mewn cysylltiad â gweithredu’r Bil i’r Aelodau ac rwy’n gobeithio y bydd o fudd i’r Aelodau wrth iddynt ystyried y Bil. Byddaf yn barod i ateb unrhyw gwestiynau yr hoffech eu gofyn o ganlyniad i’r datganiad hwn heddiw.

   





Translation:


 
In line with the commitments I have previously made to progress the reform of social services in Wales in a transparent and collaborative manner, I am today sharing with Assembly Members the policy intent surrounding the main regulations which I would propose to make under the provisions of the Social Services and Well\-being (Wales) Bill.  

I previously agreed to share with Members indication in advance of the policy thinking surrounding use of the subordinate legislation\-making powers which will provide the detail of the refreshed framework for Social Services in Wales. The information which I place before Members today delivers on that promise. I understand that Members will be chiefly concerned, quite understandably, with those statements of policy intent relating to assessment, eligibility, and care planning, and other key issues. However, the policy ambit of the Bill goes broader than this, and the range of policy intent statements is similarly extensive.  I trust that Members will welcome this.


Members will be well aware of the substantial number of written statements I have provided setting out my thinking on the many policy areas touched on by the Bill. This written statement, and the policy intent document annexed to it, forms a part of this ongoing process of policy development and engagement. In some areas – such as paying for social care – we are working within a fluid situation and need to develop our own policy agenda whilst also being responsive to what is happening in other administrations. In others, we are still in the process of extensive stakeholder engagement which will help inform and develop our implementation plans, and it would be premature to form too fixed a policy intention before the fruits of this activity are ready for consideration. In all areas, we seek to actively listen to and engage with our stakeholders across public services, and the independent and voluntary sectors.


The policy intent statements for each piece or group of subordinate legislation largely speak for themselves. There are, however, a number of headline issues to which I would like to draw Members’ attention particularly. All section and part references are to the Bill as amended at stage 2\.


**Local needs assessment**


Section 11, part 2, of the Bill places duties on local authorities and Local Health Boards (LHBs) to work together jointly to assess the extent of needs for care and support (including the needs of carers) in the local authority area, together with the extent to which needs for care and support are not being met, the services required to meet those needs and the range of services needed to prevent, delay or reduce the need for care and support. This new requirement in respect of population assessment will also include a requirement to assess the need for services in the Welsh language. Local authorities will then be able to plan to ensure that service delivery reflects our strategy as set out in ‘More than Just Words’, our Strategic Framework for Welsh Language Services in Health, Social Services and Social Care. This planning assessment process is central to the ability to meet need for both individuals and the population as a whole. Section 11 duties are also critical to effective implementation of the shift in focus and planning to include services for prevention and early intervention. I intend that the regulations made under this section will set out the arrangements that local authorities and LHBs will be required to put into effect in their local need assessment of people with care and support needs, including their identification of the need, who should be consulted, the frequency of assessments, and publication of information about care and support assessments and preventative services. These assessment duties are supported by the duties to promote cooperation and integration in planning and delivery set out in sections 152\-159 of part 9\. In all of this, the social services department will have the frontline responsibility, making the leadership and enabling role of the director of social services a central one.


**Role of directors of social services**


Section 134(1\) of the Bill provides for a local authority to appoint an officer, to be known as the director of social services, for the purpose of its social services functions (as set out in part 8\). Under section 134(2\), regulations (or a Code of Practice issued under section 135\) are required to set out the key competencies for that role which, in turn, are required to secure the delivery of the functions listed in Schedule 2\. .  These competencies will be linked to the wider requirements of the Bill, particularly around voice and control and well\-being. Given the new landscape that the Bill will put in place, there needs to be a focus on the role of the director to achieve the social services functions set out in the Bill which include well\-being, planning services for the needs of the population, preventative services, information advice and assistance, eligibility and assessment, safeguarding, collaboration and partnership, promoting social enterprise, and integration between health and social care. The role of the director is to provide leadership in the sector, ensuring that the duties set out in the Bill are fulfilled across the whole local authority. I intend that the regulations will provide clarity and transparency around competencies but I also see a need for a Code of Practice under section 135\. I see this Code as an update of the Statutory Guidance on the Role and Accountabilities of the Director of Social Services, which goes considerably wider than competencies.   

   

**Individual assessment**


Part 3 of the Bill extends the right to an assessment to children, adults and carers who have, or appear to have, a need for care and support.  Section 24 enables the Welsh Ministers to make further provision about the carrying out of needs assessments.  To ensure there is equity and clarity across Wales in people exercising their new rights, and in local authorities’ application of assessments, I intend that regulations will provide a coherent framework to: ensure compliance through supporting the day to day operation of local authorities in the discharge of their duties; and support individuals and the courts in ensuring people’s rights and local authorities’ administrative procedures have been applied in line with the law and in a fair and consistent manner.


I envisage that regulations will prescribe a set of core requirements for each group; child, adult and carer, reflecting the differing characteristics, circumstances and policy objectives which are central factors that may have an impact on the care and support needs of that individual.


**Eligibility**


After conducting an assessment for a child, adult or carer (whether that carer be a child or an adult) under sections 16, 18 and 21, if the local authority determines the person has needs for care and support, section 26 of the Bill requires the local authority to determine if that person’s needs meet the eligibility criteria. The regulation powers enable the Welsh Ministers to respond to and reflect changes in policy, social care practice and other circumstances over time.  My intention is that regulations under section 26 will prescribe the national eligibility criteria/ framework that will apply to a child, adult and carer under Part 4, and which local authorities across Wales must apply. For each category, regulations may prescribe the different needs and circumstances that the local authority must take in account, thus enabling different circumstances to apply to different categories of people, thereby reflecting the effect that their needs have on the individual.  For example within the eligibility framework for adults, eligible need may be described differently depending on the person’s needs and circumstances, leading to a number of sub\-criteria. Similar will apply in relation to childrens’ eligibility. Irrespective of decisions around eligibility criteria, there is a duty on local authorities to meet a person’s needs in order to protect them (“passporting”), and I intend to set out in regulations criteria for local authorities to apply in dealing with people in such situations. Members will wish to note that I have undertaken to make these regulations through the super\-affirmative process.  

Detailed work with stakeholders will start in January 2014 to shape and refine the differing categories and circumstances of persons with eligible needs.  These will then be subject to wider engagement in spring 2014 before the final public consultation on the regulations and Code of Practice in 2014/15\.  

   

**Care and Support Plans and Care Plans**


The Bill requires that when a local authority has a duty to a child, adult or carer under sections 28, 30, 33 or 34 of part 4, they must prepare a care and support plan or, in the case of child/adult carer, a support plan. These are people who will have an eligible need – meeting the relevant eligibility criteria set in regulations to be made under section 26(3\). The complexity and severity of an individual’s needs will determine the scope and detail of the care and support plan, and the range of interventions and professionals who will contribute to the type of support and frequency of reviews. Care and support plans are informed by the assessment of the individual’s needs, circumstances, and outcomes to be achieved, and the level of prescription in each group of care and support plans will differ. The plan will also set out an individual’s contributions to their care and support and any direct payment arrangements. Differing emphases will be applied in each case. Sections 45 and 46 enable the Welsh Ministers to make further provisions about the preparation and review of care and support plans, as there will be a need to amend the detail in this area over time. Regulations will ensure that, where practical, professionals work jointly to provide integrated care and support in delivering the outcomes in the plan, and ensure there is regular review of the plans to ensure changing needs/ circumstances and outcomes are reflected and acted upon within the plans. My intent is that regulations, supported by a Code of Practice which local authorities must comply with, will prescribe a set of core requirements for each group; child, adult or carer, with the prescription for each group differing depending on circumstances. The requirement for care and support plans, and for the review of both care and support plans/support plans (in the case of carers), will be set by a combination of the regulations and Code of Practice. Together, I intend that the regulations and the  Code of Practice will help to achieve the policy aim of ensuring each individual has a coherent, integrated plan.


**Portability**


Section 47 of the Bill provides for the portability of care and support and re\-assessment for children and adults in relation to whom the local authority has a duty under sections 28 or 30 of the Bill. This section relates to children and adults who have eligible needs or are passported in order to protect them, and the provision aims to assure a level of continuity of care for people with eligible need moving across local authority areas of Wales. Regulations may make further provision with regard to the steps to be taken, the matters to which the ‘receiving authority’ must have regard and where the duties on portability are to be dis\-applied. It is my intent that the regulations and Code of Practice will set out;  


* the responsibilities of the sending authority, including the minimum level of information to be shared between the sending and receiving authorities;
* the expectation on the receiving authority to ensure a level of continuity of care, relating to that set out in the care plan, until the receiving authority carries out a review and re\-assessment of the person’s care and support  needs;
* timescales by which the information must be shared; and
* timescales by which the receiving  authority must review / re\-assess the care package as set out in the plan.


 


I can give members the assurance that the Code of Practice will be very clear about the expectation on local authorities, in discharging their duties, to ensure portability of care and support for people with needs, and support for those who care for them, when both are moving across local authority boundaries within Wales. This Code of Practice will be underpinned by the right of carers to request an assessment of their own support needs.  


**Charging and financial assessment**


In relation to charging and financial assessment under part 5, policy is still evolving in order to deliver upon my commitment to introduce from April 2016 reform of the arrangements for paying for care. Hence development of the options for this reform will be taking place during 2014 with stakeholder representatives from local government,  care recipients and those who represent them, with Welsh Ministers making final decisions in the autumn of 2014 on the way forward. I will be making a separate Written Statement to Members on these plans shortly. However, there are certain key principles which can be set out at this point.


Section 50 of the Bill gives a local authority the power to impose a charge for providing or arranging the provision of care and support under sections 28 to 36 to meet a person’s needs, or for putting in place arrangements for meeting those needs. It is long established Welsh Government policy that where a local authority asks a person to pay a charge for care and support, or where they are charged by a local authority for making arrangements to meet needs, that only those with adequate financial means should be expected to pay such a charge. It is also established policy that where this occurs, assessment of that person’s financial means should be undertaken in a consistent manner to ensure equality of treatment of individuals.  It is therefore my intention through the regulations to be made under the Bill to reiterate these policies as part of our future policy on paying for residential and non\-residential social care.


As a result regulations under section 55 of the Bill must make provision in connection with a local authority’s duty to carry out a financial assessment where it thinks it would impose a charge to meet a person’s needs for care and support. Existing regulations and statutory guidance made under present legislation identify particular forms of financial resources a person receiving care and support may have, and set out whether these should be regarded as income or capital, and how each should be treated within a financial assessment.  It is my intention through the regulations to be made under section 55 of the Bill to maintain such provisions as part of my reform of the arrangements for paying for care. Consideration will therefore be given in formulating that reform as to exactly what forms of income and capital should be taken into account or disregarded within a financial assessment to ensure equality and consistency of treatment of those who are subject to it.  As is the case currently, I also intend to make provision in regulations to allow a local authority, in certain situations, not to exercise its duty to carry out a financial assessment of a person where it thinks it would impose a charge to meet their needs for care and support (for example where low level care and support is being provided for which a small fixed charge is made and undertaking a full financial assessment would not be appropriate, or where an urgent or unexpected need for care and support arises at short notice).  


Following a financial assessment, local authorities must make a determination under section 57(1\) of the Bill as to a person’s ability to pay a charge. Under existing legislation, regulations and statutory guidance identify particular levels of income and capital that a person receiving care and support may have and how these should be treated in a determination of a person’s ability to pay a charge for their care and support.  I intend to maintain this provision in regulations to be made under the Bill.


As part of the development of our future arrangements for paying for care I have already confirmed that we will be maintaining the principle of a Wales wide weekly maximum charge for non\-residential services. Consideration will also be given to the application of other aspects of the regulation making powers under section 52(1\). This will include, for example, whether a maximum charge should be set for specified care and support, or set for a specified period, or set for putting in place arrangements for needs to be met.


Regulations under section 53 may also make provision that disapplies the charging power. This reflects the current charging legislation, under which charging can be disapplied in a number of cases.  It is my intention to continue to disapply charging where it is appropriate to do so, and consideration will be given to the situations, persons and specified types of care and support in relation to which charges should not be imposed.


**Review of charges**


Where charges may be made, it is important that clear and consistent arrangements are in place to allow a person to query or challenge care and support charges imposed on them. Regulations under section 53 will enable a review system to be put in place for all instances where a charge has been levied.  This will ensure that a person who has been assessed as required to pay for care and support can have the charge reviewed should they consider it to be incorrect or inappropriate.  


Under the present regulations made under the Social Care Charges (Wales) Measure 2010, a review process is in place for charging decisions made in relation to the provision of non\-residential social services.  It is my intention to maintain this provision under regulations to be made under the Bill and to extend it to all other instances where a charge is imposed. This is so that a person can have a charge or charging decision reviewed by a local authority where it relates to the provision or arrangement of care and support under the Bill, or to putting in place arrangements for care and support.    


**Deferred payments**


It is our policy that where a person is asked to pay a charge for the care and support they receive, or for arrangements to meet their needs, and their property is taken into account, they should not be required immediately to sell that property to meet this charge. Instead, they should have the ability to delay this until a more appropriate time.  


Under present regulations, local authorities are required to operate a deferred payment scheme for those with an interest in a property who are required to meet the costs of their residential accommodation and care.  I intend to maintain and strengthen this provision under regulations to be made under section 60 of the Bill, enhancing the operation of such agreements, allowing them to be tailored to meet a person’s circumstances and extending this provision to other instances where a charge is imposed.


 


**Direct payments**


It is Welsh Government policy to provide greater choice and control to those who develop needs for care and support, thus giving them a greater say over the way in which these needs are met. One of the key ways in which this can be achieved is to provide them with a direct payment to arrange for that care and support themselves.  My officials have been working with the Direct Payments Overview Group (which represents local authority, disability and carer organisation stakeholders) on a set of principles on the future provision of direct payments under the provisions of the Bill.  These principles cover good practice areas of direct payments such as eligibility and choice, provision of information, support, reviews and outcomes, and the value and calculation of direct payments.  The principles have been agreed by the Welsh Ministers and will be used to inform the development of the regulations and Code of Practice on direct payments under the Bill.


As well as maintaining and improving the current operation of direct payments in Wales, regulations to be made under sections 41, 42 and 43 in part 4 of the Bill would aim to increase the take up of direct payments by ensuring that more individuals with care and support needs are aware of this option and what it would mean for them, and supported to make an informed choice. In particular, the regulation making power will require the Welsh Ministers, via the regulations and code of practice, to set out how such arrangements should operate in future by specifying both:


* the steps that local authorities should take to ensure that those with care and support needs are aware of the option of receiving a direct payment, what this entails and how this might benefit them; and
* the support that should be provided to a person with care and support needs, both in making a decision whether to have a direct payment and in managing a payment where they have chosen to have one.


 


**Looked after children**


Part 6 of the Bill includes regulation\-making powers relating to assessment; care and support plans; the review of plans and cases; and the placement of and visits to children who are looked after by local authorities.  Each of this set of regulation making powers is inextricably linked to the others.  Together, they will provide for a consistent and coherent approach to supporting looked after children.  They will deliver children’s rights and entitlements as part of an effective corporate parent framework; one that empowers looked after children to achieve improved well\-being outcomes that enhance their life chances.


Against that backdrop, sections 74 and 75 of the Bill place express duties on the Welsh Ministers to bring forward regulations on the detailed arrangements that local authorities must follow in the preparation of care and support plans, whilst the framework for their review is set out under sections 90 to 93\. The regulation making power is required to set out the Welsh Ministers’ expectations of the matters that local authorities must take into account in supporting looked after children to achieve improved well\-being outcomes. I intend that regulations and Code of Practice will prescribe a set of core requirements for looked after children which will ensure a consistency of approach with the core processes under Part 4 whilst recognising the specific circumstances and needs of looked after children, and reinforcing the Corporate Parenting responsibilities owed to these children.  


Supporting this, it is my intention that regulations under section 78 will make provision about placements and settings other than with parents, those with parental responsibility or those with a Residence Order.  These will place duties on local authorities to accommodate, safeguard and promote a child’s welfare and set out the arrangements to be made by local authorities in connection with the health and education of children so placed.      


Recognising that some children may need out\-of\-area placements, I also intend that the regulations made under section 78 will impose requirements for local authorities to follow when placing children outside the authority area, and ensuring the child’s well\-being in doing so. These will stipulate that the local authority must not place a child outside the area in which they usually reside unless it is satisfied that there is no placement within the area that meets the child’s needs or that a placement outside of area is more consistent with their welfare.


Section 83 enables regulations made under section 78 to make further provision about looked after children, in relation to placements with local authority foster parents.  I intend to use this discretionary  power to the same effect as the current regulation making powers, reflecting in essentials the requirements of the current Fostering Services (Wales) Regulations. I will also seek to make regulations regarding the approval of local authority foster parents.


Local authorities are under a duty to ensure visits to, and contact with, looked after children and others under section 88\.  We know that children who are detained or remanded to the secure estate are likely to experience a shortfall in their well\-being outcomes by virtue of their detention and may require support to re\-integrate into the community and to prevent further episodes of offending.  I therefore intend that regulations and a Code of Practice will prescribe a set of core requirements for the representative that will place duties on local authorities to support specified groups of children whilst in custody and to plan for their release.  This work will reflect the Welsh Government Green Paper “Proposals to improve services in Wales to better meet the needs of children and young people who are at risk of entering, or are already in, the Youth Justice System”.


The local authority has a duty under section 90 of the Bill to appoint an independent reviewing officer (IRO) for each child’s case. The duties of that individual are set out under sections 91, 92 and 93\.  Here, I intend that regulations and a Code of Practice will prescribe a set of core requirements for the IRO to promote the well\-being outcomes for looked after children by undertaking reviews and challenging the local authority, as the Corporate Parent, to ensure looked after children are supported through the outcomes identified in their care and support plan. The key outcome of this function will be to ensure that work to implement the agreed actions set out in the child’s care and support plan is carried out in a timely and appropriate manner.


The Bill also gives a local authority duties under section 97 and 98 to appoint a Personal Advisor, to assess the need for advice, assistance and support and to prepare a Pathway Plan for children and young persons who are entitled to support as a result of them being, or having been, looked after children.


The purpose of a Personal Advisor is to support young persons who are, or have been, looked after. Section 98 requires that a Personal Advisor must carry out an assessment to determine what advice, support and assistance the young person needs whilst they are looked after and once they cease to be looked after.  Such assessments must be recorded within a Pathway Plan. Again, there is an imperative to ensure a consistency of approach with both the core processes under Part 4, and the care planning and review arrangements under Part 6\. I therefore intend to make regulations setting out my expectations of the functions of a Personal Advisor, and the matters to be contained within the assessment and Pathway Plan of children and young people entitled to support under this section.


**Safeguarding**


The safeguarding regulations under part 7 of the Bill form a homogeneous group. As members will know, I established the Safeguarding Advisory Panel in July 2013 to provide expert advice to the Welsh Government on strengthening safeguarding arrangements for adults and children in Wales.  The panel has already undertaken a detailed process of engagement with organisations and professional staff in the public, independent, private and third sectors, and this work will continue. Alongside key strategic meetings, a series of workshops have been held and a national safeguarding event, which I was pleased to attend.  The Panel’s first report was provided to me in November and focused on the regulations which will need to be produced as a result of the Bill. I intend to publish this report shortly. From reference to the statements of policy intent for this group, members will see that the work in this area has been heavily informed by the recommendations of the Panel, and I thank them, and the stakeholders who have supported the Panel, for their valuable input to date.


**Authorised officers for adult protection and support orders**


Section 117 of the Bill provides for new Adult Protection and Support Orders, enabling social services to apply to the courts for an order to enter a property to speak with someone they think could be at risk, without interference from others in the house who might obstruct access, to ascertain whether a person is making decisions freely. An ‘authorised officer’ is a person authorised by the local authority for the purposes of applying for and exercising adult protection and support orders.  There are complex human rights issues to be addressed with regard to these orders, so any intervention must be appropriate: statutory guidance will provide the detail for the consistent and appropriate execution of orders.  To ensure that only practitioners with sufficient skills and training carry out this role, for example those with experience of dealing with neglect or domestic violence, regulations provide for the Welsh Ministers to set restrictions on who may become an ‘authorised officer’. An ‘authorised officer’ will be required to be in the employment of a relevant partner, as defined in section 152\.  In keeping with the recommendations of the Safeguarding Advisory Panel, we intend to carry out a training programme for ‘authorised officers’ so that practitioners have specific and sufficient skills to carry out their role.  Regulations will seek to reflect the skills needed to be an effective ‘authorised officer’.  

National Independent Safeguarding Board


Section 122 of the Bill provides for the establishment of a National Independent Safeguarding Board to ensure strategic leadership on a national level in Wales.  The board’s duties are to support the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements, report on the adequacy of safeguarding, and make recommendations to the Welsh Ministers on how these could be improved.  


In keeping with the key principle of the people model that runs through the Bill, the national board will consider safeguarding arrangements in relation to both children and adults.  In line with the recommendation of the Health and Social Care Committee’s Stage 1 scrutiny report, and of my Safeguarding Advisory Panel, regulations will however provide that the board may take forward explicit work streams in relation to children and adults separately where appropriate to reflect the often different needs and circumstances based on age.


Regulations will also be clear on the role of the national board to:


* Receive, collate and share information and best practice;
* Focus on early identification; and
* Encourage partnership working between the national and safeguarding boards, and key organisations in Wales that have safeguarding responsibilities.


 


Along with the associated guidance, the regulations will also make clear the relationship between the national board, the Welsh Ministers and safeguarding boards as well as the relationship of the national board with individual agencies.


Regulations will also require the national board to ensure that the views of service users and practitioners are effectively incorporated into its work.  This may be achieved by holding an annual public engagement event and meetings with the chairs of safeguarding boards and we will be giving further thought, with stakeholders and service users, to how we might give effect to this requirement. Detailed requirements around the national board’s annual report to the Welsh Ministers will also be specified, with a focus on evidencing activity, engagement and improvement.


**Safeguarding Boards**


Section 124 provides for the establishment of Safeguarding Children and Adults Boards in particular areas.  This is to enable multi\-agency safeguarding partnerships to form new larger Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Adults Boards for the purpose of cooperation, thus ensuring the most effective framework possible to support the high levels of collaborative working required to ensure effective safeguarding and protection. This section sets out the bodies that are required to be Safeguarding Board partners and requires that, following consultation with those partners, the Welsh Minsters specify a lead partner for safeguarding boards from the bodies specified in the Bill. Regulations under this section will address the tenure, responsibilities and handover arrangements for the lead partner. There will also be provision for other persons or bodies to be specified as safeguarding partners, and for boards to include other local representation.


I also intend to regulate, under section 125, to set out the procedures safeguarding boards must follow in relation to their business, how Boards should work with the National Independent Safeguarding Board and other existing local partnerships to improve safeguarding arrangements, standards that safeguarding boards must achieve to ensure that they are being effective and details of how users of services can participate in their work.


Regulations made under section 126 may ensure safeguarding boards’ annual plans and annual reports include required content and demonstrate the board’s effectiveness in protecting children and adults within its area. My intention in regulating, reflecting the advice of the Safeguarding Advisory Panel, is to ensure that annual plans are a useful and practical tool for evaluation and accountability purposes and demonstrate how safeguarding boards are being effective in safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk.


Whilst, presently, any body may make payments towards the upkeep of their Local Safeguarding Children Board, in practice the local authority has tended to provide the majority, if not all, of the funding.  Evidence suggests that a lack of adequate funding and suitable “buy in” from partners limits their capability to fulfil their responsibilities.  The Safeguarding Advisory Panel will consider how equitable and consistent funding of Boards across Wales can be achieved, and how regulations under section 128 might give effect to that.


Section 129(2\) allows regulations to be made regarding the functions of safeguarding board partners relating to the safeguarding boards on which they are represented. Evidence suggests that, although most of the current Local Safeguarding Children Boards are working adequately, improvements need to be made to the relationships between statutory board members, particularly in the area of communication and information sharing. My intent here is to ensure that statutory safeguarding board partners understand fully the role they play on the boards and the functions they need to fulfil.  I intend that this will ensure full compliance and understanding between board partners and strengthen safeguarding arrangements for both adults and children.


**Merger of Safeguarding Boards**


As members will know, the Bill provides the statutory framework to deliver the Welsh Government’s commitment to integrate social services to support people of all ages, thus promoting an equitable approach to the provision of services.  The Welsh Government is committed to removing the notion that adults and children have competing needs and priorities based on age.  The power to merge boards contained in section 130 reflects the people model inherent within the Bill, and also the arrangements that will exist at national level. I should stress, however, that mergers will only happen when it can be demonstrated that to do so will improve safeguarding arrangements for everyone. There is no current policy intention to go down this route, and there will be full and extensive consultation were any active steps to be taken to merge boards. As a further assurance to members, and in response to concerns expressed about this provision, I have also agreed that this power would be exercisable only through the super\-affirmative procedure, and the Bill, at section 131, now provides for this.


**Partnership working and collaboration**


Effective partnership working can improve outcomes for service users and access to services, avoid service fragmentation, improve the utilisation of resources through multi\-disciplinary team working and help better manage demand for services. However, as members may recognise, whilst relevant legislation has been in place since the Health Act 1999, the formation of and nature of partnership working has been slow and variable across Wales. My policy intent in relation to part 9 is to ensure the establishment of effective partnership working to enable the provision of improved services to better meet demand and the needs of people across Wales. Therefore the Bill contains, at section 156, a regulation power which I intend will drive the establishment of effective partnership arrangements to ensure improved services, care and support.  This power goes beyond the existing powers in section 36 of the NHS (Wales) Act 2006 and the Local Government Measure 2009 as there would be no need to evidence inadequate exercise of functions or lack of co\-operation prior to regulating. The regulations will enable specific partnership arrangements to be made between local authorities or with local health boards and can set out which local authority or local health boards take part in the partnership arrangements, specify the form and responsibility, operation and management of partnership arrangements including the appointment and establishment of individuals or teams, and make provision for the sharing of information. I intend that this will encompass provision for Integrated Family Support Services.


**Pooled budgets**


Similarly, the progress towards funding and pooled budgets to support partnership working has been slow and variable across Wales. Pooling resources can support transparency and lead to improved information on the true costs of service provision. It can also enable partnerships to allocate and utilise resources to respond more effectively to need and service demand. Section 157 relates to funding for partnership arrangements and provides a regulation power which can require local authorities and local health boards to establish a pooled fund as part of their partnership arrangements. This supports improved ownership and can enable a better response to meet the increasing demand on services by maximising the skills, knowledge and expertise of multi\-disciplinary team working and avoiding duplication. I intend, through these regulations, to ensure the most effective use of resources by local authorities and local health boards, by supporting pooling of their budgets for the provision of specific services in their local area.


**Partnership Boards**


Partnership boards play a vital role in the oversight and governance of partnership arrangements. They offer an opportunity to involve local stakeholders and to enhance local community and democratic accountability. With the move towards pooled budgets and resources it is even more important to ensure effective governance and accountability arrangements are in place. Such boards are the vehicle through which partners can manage and oversee the progress and performance of the partnership. The aim of the regulations I propose to make under section 158 is to permit the establishment of partnership boards and ensure appropriate membership and appropriate governance arrangements of such boards.


**The National Adoption Service**


Members will be aware that section 160 of the Bill provides powers for the Welsh Ministers to direct local authorities to make joint arrangements for adoption services. This will enable the Welsh Government to achieve our policy ambitions in relation to a National Adoption Service (NAS) should local government actions to deliver a NAS prove ineffective. The direction\-making power would give the Welsh Ministers a range of options as to how they chose to establish a National Adoption Service, should additional action be needed to fulfil our intention.  


We are all in agreement on the case for change and that the time for this is now; I am encouraged by the collaboration and partnership working I have witnessed and expect this to be translated into real pace and progress. . We must not lose sight that for far too long children have been drifting in care. Therefore, if I am not satisfied with the implementation plans I am provided with by local government I will not hesitate to initiate the use of the powers provided in this Bill.


**Social enterprise**


Returning to part 2, Section 13 of the Bill places a duty on local authorities to promote social enterprises, co\-operatives, user\-led services and the third sector. The regulation enables provision to be made to clarify the details within this section, the overall purpose of which is to provide a lever whereby local authorities work with a wider range of providers on new service models; particularly in under\-developed areas in social care.


This section connects to the wider Bill by supporting the development of new models of service, early intervention and prevention, and promoting an approach which will enable a shift in the development, design and delivery of services. It is intended to promote “how” this will be done, with a key aspect being strengthening the voice and control of citizens in relation to the new arrangements under the Bill.


  

In conclusion, I am confident that this statement provides Members with a useful overview of the Welsh Government’s policy intentions with regard to the implementation of the Bill and I hope that it will aid Members’ consideration of the Bill. I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have as a result of today’s statement.