Explanatory Memorandum to the National Independent Safeguarding Board (Wales) Regulations 2015
This Explanatory Memorandum has been prepared by the Department for Health and Social Services and is laid before the National Assembly for Wales in conjunction with the above subordinate legislation and in accordance with Standing Order 27.1.
Minister’s Declaration
In my view, this Explanatory Memorandum gives a fair and reasonable view of the expected impact of the National Independent Safeguarding Board (Wales) Regulations 2015. I am satisfied that the benefits outweigh any costs.
Mark Drakeford
Minister for Health and Social Services
1. The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 brings together local authorities’ duties and functions in relation to improving the well-being of people who need care and support and carers who need support in a single Act. The Act provides the statutory framework to deliver the Welsh Government’s commitment to integrate social services to support people of all ages, and support people as part of families and communities.
2. These Regulations relate to the National Independent Safeguarding Board (‘the National Board’) which is established under section 132 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and set out arrangements for appointments to, and the proceedings of, the National Board.
3. There are no matters of specific interest to be brought to the attention of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee.
4. This Explanatory Memorandum should be read in conjunction with the Explanatory Memorandum to the Safeguarding Boards (General) (Wales) Regulations 2015 and the Explanatory Memorandum to the Safeguarding Boards (Functions and Procedures) (Wales) Regulations 2015.
5. The powers enabling these Regulations to be made are contained in section 133(1) of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
6. This instrument is subject to the negative resolution procedure.
7. These Regulations provide for the National Independent Safeguarding Board to consist of up to six members, appointed by the Welsh Ministers, with one of the members to be appointed as chair. They make further provision about the proceedings of the National Board, the establishment of supplementary groups, consultation by the National Board with those affected by its work, and set out arrangements for the National Board’s annual report to the Welsh Ministers.
8. An evaluation of Local Safeguarding Children Boards in 2011 highlighted[1] “there is a need for clear strategic direction at a national level with well defined objectives and outcomes, which also facilitate local decision making to meet the needs of children in their local communities”. The National Board will provide this strategic direction for the new Safeguarding Children Boards and the Safeguarding Adults Boards as part of its primary function to provide support and advice to the those Boards.
9. Proposals to establish a National Independent Safeguarding Board were outlined in ‘Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action’, published by the Welsh Government in February 2011[2] which stated “we will establish, on a permanent basis, an independently chaired National Safeguarding Board for Adults and Children. This Board will provide national leadership across all stakeholders, will develop and promote high quality standards, and be a focus for learning from experience”.
10. The main responsibility of the members of the National Board will be to ensure that the duties of the National Board are effectively delivered. The National Board will receive information from local Safeguarding Boards and others to assist it to assure the Welsh Ministers that safeguarding and protection are being appropriately led, developed, challenged and promoted in Wales.
11.These proposals are in line with the initial report of the Safeguarding Advisory Panel, established by the then Deputy Minister for Social Services in July 2013 to provide expert advice to the Welsh Government on strengthening safeguarding arrangements for adults and children in Wales, which recommended that a National Board of five members plus the Chair is established, with quoracy expressed as two members alongside the Chair
12.The Safeguarding Advisory Panel’s final report further noted that the National Board should:
· complement, not duplicate, Safeguarding Boards or Regulator functions;
· advise, support, challenge, identify concerns and failings by advising the Welsh Ministers;
· not have an inspectorial or scrutiny role with Safeguarding Boards;
· raise awareness – public, workforce and organisations;
· promote and celebrate good safeguarding and protection policy and procedures in Wales;
· undertake specific children and adult work streams within the National Independent Safeguarding Board;
· use a public appointment process to appoint the National Independent Safeguarding Board members;
· ensure the National Independent Safeguarding Board has a clear role and structure, and access to legal, public relations and expert advice;
· ensure it clarifies outcomes - annual report identifies its response to safeguarding themes, challenges and supports Safeguarding Board improvement; and
· promote and raise public awareness of safeguarding using public engagement events.
13.A 12 week consultation on these Regulations ran between 6 November 2014 and 2 February 2015. Further details on the consultation process are set out in the Regulatory Impact Assessment in Part 2.
Part 2 – Regulatory Impact Assessment
Options
Option 1: Do nothing
1.
In the event of
these Regulations not being made no provision would be made about
the constitution, membership, proceedings or reporting arrangements
of the National Independent Safeguarding Board.
Option 2: Bring Regulations into
Force
2. Making the Regulations will support the establishment of the National Independent Safeguarding Board with a remit to provide national leadership, advise Ministers on the adequacy and effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements; and advise on action to help strengthen policy and improve practice.
Costs & benefits for Option 1
3. There would be no costs associated with not making these Regulations. However, the proposed role of the National Board to provide national leadership, advise the Welsh Ministers on the adequacy and effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements; and advise on action to help strengthen policy and improve practice would be incapable of being performed in the manner envisaged in the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
Costs & benefits for Option 2
4. A public appointments exercise will be conducted for Chair and Members of the National Board. The cost is estimated at £17,000.
5. Running costs of the Board once established, including remuneration for members, are estimated at £150,000 per annum. Secretariat support will be provided by the Welsh Government at an estimated cost of £30,000 per annum. These costs must be seen as indicative to the extent that the Board will wish to determine its own priorities in the light of experience.
6. These costs should be seen in the context of an overall reduction in the number of Safeguarding Boards and the global effect of this package of regulations. The National Board will provide renewed expert national leadership, advice to Ministers on matters relating to safeguarding arrangements, and on action to strengthen and improve practice.
Consultation
7. A 12 week consultation on these Regulations ran between 6 November 2014 and 2 February 2015.
8. The Report and a list of respondents can be found at:
http://gov.wales/consultations/healthsocialcare/part7/?status=closed&lang=en
9. The consultation responses did not raise any issues in respect of the establishment or constitution of the National Board. As part of the consultation, the Welsh Government took the opportunity to gather views as to what should be the priority areas for action by the National Board and these will be used to inform the remit of the Board once it is established.
10. In addition to this formal consultation, the Safeguarding Advisory Panel was appointed in July 2013 by the then Deputy Minister for Social Services to engage with stakeholders to strengthen the safeguarding proposals in the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill. The Safeguarding Advisory Panel liaised with a range of statutory independent and third sector agencies while the Regulations and Statutory Guidance were being developed.
11. Once developed the draft Regulations and statutory guidance were discussed at two Welsh Government consultation events held on 26 November 2014 and 9 December 2014.
Competition Assessment
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Competition Filter Test |
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Question |
Answer yes or no |
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Q1: In the market(s) affected by the new regulation, does any firm have more than 10% market share? |
No |
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Q2: In the market(s) affected by the new regulation, does any firm have more than 20% market share? |
No |
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Q3: In the market(s) affected by the new regulations do the largest three firms together have at least 50% market share? |
No |
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Q4: Would the costs of the regulation affect some firms substantially more than others? |
No |
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Q5: Is the regulation likely to affect the market structure, changing the number or size of businesses/organisations? |
No |
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Q6: Would the regulation lead to higher set-up costs for new or potential suppliers that existing suppliers do not have to meet? |
No |
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Q7: Would the regulation lead to higher ongoing costs for new or potential suppliers that existing suppliers do not have to meet? |
No |
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Q8: Is the sector characterised by rapid technological change? |
No |
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Q9: Would the regulation restrict the ability of suppliers to choose the price, quality, range or location of their products? |
No |
12.The filter test shows that it is not likely that the regulation will have any detrimental effect on competition; therefore a detailed assessment has not been conducted.
13.We do not consider it necessary to undertake a competition assessment for these Regulations since they will not affect the business sector in any significant way
Post implementation review
14.The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 contains provisions to allow the Welsh Ministers to monitor functions of the Act carried out by local authorities and other bodies. The Welsh Ministers may require these bodies to report on their duties in implementing these Regulations.
15. Additionally, the Welsh Government will continue to monitor the impact of the Regulations on areas such as the Welsh language, equality, tackling poverty and the United Nations Principles for Older Persons.
16. As required by the Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011, the Welsh Ministers will have due regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) when exercising relevant functions under the Act.