Legislation Committee 3
Response to the consultation on the National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Social Welfare) Order 2009
C01 - Association of Chief Police Officers
I write on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Wales (ACPO Cymru), in response to the above consultation process. As such this response should be considered the view of all four Police Forces in Wales with regard to above proposed order which has been referred to the Permanent Legislation Committee for detailed consideration.
ACPO Cymru broadly approve the suggestions set out within proposed order regarding supporting the provision of care by carers and promoting the well-being of carers.
The consultation documents pose a number of questions; However ACPO Cymru response will be confined to two areas responding specifically to question 1 and 3.
Question 1.
What are your views on the general priniciple that legislative competence in the area identified in Matter 15.9 be conferred on the Assembly?
ACPO Cymru, given the demographic information that supports the proposal, is in agreement that the area legislative competence, identified at 15.9, should be conferred on the Welsh Assembly Government.
Question 3.
Is the definition of carer in the proposed Order appropriate? If not, how should the proposed Order be redrafted and why?
ACPO Cymru acknowledges that the definition of Carer differs from that in the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000, which stipulates an age restriction (16yrs). This proposed LCO contains no age restriction. We welcome the additional information that has been provided in the form of a memorandum from the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas (AM), which clarifies the reasoning for the age omission. Recognition has also been made that care is being, in many cases, provided by young, often family, carers. This proposal should ensure that where such care is provided the burden on any person, in-particular, a young person, should not be an inappropriate one. Mention is made of the "Welsh Assembly Government guidance Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000” with 'the continuing emphasis on services to support young carers in their caring role has not yet achieved the joined-up approach that is need across social services for adults and for children, and the NHS’
ACPO Cymru accentuates the need, in relation to this proposed LCO, to be included in this 'joined-up’ approach and indeed acknowledges the fact that in many other areas we are very much included and form part of very effective partnerships. However, at this early stage in development of 'new’ legislation, given the wide remit of the definition of a carer, taken together with the broad range of the proposal, prior to the development, if successful, of any subsequent measures, adequate & appropriate engagement should be sought with our organisation.
ACPO (Cymru) welcomes the opportunity to support the Welsh Assembly Government in this consultation process and where necessary and appropriate offers further assistance and expertise to work with the Welsh Assembly Government in this area. This can be facilitated via Superintendent Anthony Matthias at the Police Liaison Office at Cathays Park, Cardiff.
