LEGISLATION set to transform the way people in Wales receive care and support has been announced.
Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Social Services and Children, has introduced the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill.
It was presented to the National Assembly yesterday. It will now be scrutinised before it is vote on.
If passed, it could gain Royal Assent later this year.
The White Paper Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action highlighted a number of key challenges faced by public services in Wales now and in the future. These included demographic changes, increased expectations of those who access care and support, and continuing hard economic realities.
The bill aims to address these issues and give people greater freedom to decide which services they need while offering consistent, high-quality services.
She said: There will be a stronger focus through the Bill on preventative and early intervention services, based on greater partnership working and integration of services between local authorities and partners. It will help us all tackle the many challenges facing social services in Wales but will also allow us all to seize opportunities before us."