Proposed Domiciliary LCO Committee - The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (No.4) Order 2008 relating to charging for Non-Residential Social Care (Domiciliary Care)

Submission of evidence from Mind Cymru

Introduction

Mind is a leading mental health charity in Wales and England. We work for a society that promotes and protects good mental health and wellbeing for all, and that treats people with experience of mental distress fairly, positively and with respect. Mind Cymru is Mind’s presence in Wales.  Our key messages of relevance to this consultation response include:

• Mind works for a full life, free from injustice and inequality for all who experience mental distress, enabling them to play their full part in society.
• We are determined to improve society’s recognition, understanding and acceptance of people with experience of mental distress.
• Mind stands up for people who are failed by the current system and those most marginalised by society.
• Mind fights for access to good quality mental health services and social care for people with experience of mental distress.

These key messages are reflected in our opinion that vulnerable people should not experience discrimination in accessing any essential services and we therefore welcome the opportunity to contribute to this consultation process. The views expressed within this response are the views of Mind Cymru.

Response to points of interest to the LCO Committee:

1. What are your views on the general principle that legislative competence in the area identified in Matter 15.9 be conferred on the Assembly?

We believe that the Assembly should in principle have the power to legislate by Measure in the area of charging for non-residential social care. Whilst we would prefer a situation whereby people in need of (health and) social care would not have to pay at all for accessing such services, we welcome an initiative to take control of and challenge the "postcode lottery” widely experienced across Wales.

We would certainly like to see the Assembly having the power to have the flexibility to set the level of charging at nil for specific services for specific client groups, as well as having significantly more impact upon the Local Authorities’ processes of assessment and of setting charges for non-residential domiciliary services in Wales.

Mind Cymru welcomes and supports the principle purpose of the proposed LCO to empower the Assembly to pass Assembly measures under part 3 of the Government of Wales Act that will enable the Assembly Government to regulate the setting of charges and remove the wide disparities that currently exist.

Claire Bottomley
Liaison Officer, Influence and Change
January 2008
Tel: 029 20346580     

Email: c.bottomley@mind.org.uk