The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 has shaped social care and community support in Wales since it came into force on 6 April 2016. Its purpose has always been straightforward: to improve the well-being of people who need care and support, and of carers who look after them.
Recently there has been talk of new codes of practice, national frameworks, and even the Health and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025. For many, that can sound confusing or worrying. This article looks at what is actually changing, what is staying the same, and how those changes may affect both individuals and professionals.
What is not changing
The key principles of the 2014 Act remain solid.
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Well-being stays at the centre of every decision.
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Voice and control continue to be the foundation of care planning.
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Prevention and early intervention remain priorities, so people receive help before problems escalate.
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Partnership working between councils, health services, and community organisations is still essential.
The Act itself has not been replaced. What is happening instead is the introduction of updated codes of practice and national frameworks that refine how local authorities and partner bodies carry out their duties.
The new Part 2 Code of Practice
A new Part 2 Code of Practice on general social care functions took effect on 1 September 2024. It replaces the earlier 2015 version and gives updated guidance to local authorities about their overall responsibilities under the Act.
This new Code forms part of the Welsh Government’s “Rebalancing Care and Support” programme. Its goal is to strengthen community-based services and make better use of social enterprises, co-operatives, and third-sector groups.
Among its main themes:
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Better information, advice, and assistance so people can find support early and easily.
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A stronger focus on prevention to reduce the need for formal care.
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Closer collaboration between local authorities and community-based organisations when planning and delivering services.
For most people, these changes will not be obvious day-to-day, but they should lead to more consistent, person-centred decisions across Wales.
The National Framework for Commissioning Care and Support
Also introduced on 1 September 2024 is the National Framework for the Commissioning of Care and Support in Wales. This framework sets out national principles and standards for how local authorities, health boards, and NHS trusts commission care and support services.
It moves away from short-term, cost-driven contracts towards longer-term arrangements built around relationships, outcomes, and quality of life. Over time, this should mean:
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Greater stability in the services people rely on.
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Fewer abrupt contract changes that disrupt support.
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More emphasis on what matters most to each individual.
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Increased opportunities for user-led, community, and third-sector organisations to be involved.
For professionals, it also means commissioners are expected to consider social value, continuity, and fairness, not only cost.
Updated codes on leadership and oversight
During 2024, further updates were issued to strengthen accountability within social services:
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A revised Code of Practice for Directors of Social Services, clarifying their leadership duties.
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A new Code for reviewing local authority social services, outlining how Care Inspectorate Wales and Welsh Ministers respond when concerns are raised.
These changes don’t alter anyone’s rights directly but improve governance and consistency in how services are led and monitored.
Links with the Health and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025
The Health and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025 complements the 2014 Act. It updates several areas of social-care law, including how direct payments can be managed.
When the supporting regulations are finalised, adults who have mental capacity will be able to nominate someone they trust to receive and manage direct payments on their behalf. This aims to give people more flexibility and choice in how their care is organised, without taking away their decision-making power.
Further details are expected as the Welsh Government completes its consultations and publishes updated guidance.
What this means for people using care and support
For most individuals, there will be no sudden changes. The same rights to assessment, support, and voice in decision-making remain protected by law.
What should improve gradually is the experience of seeking help and the consistency of what happens next. The new Codes and frameworks are designed to:
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Make it easier to access clear information and early advice.
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Ensure local authorities apply the same standards across Wales.
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Encourage smoother cooperation between councils, health services, and community organisations.
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Prioritise quality of life and personal outcomes over box-ticking or cost-cutting.
People who receive direct payments may eventually have new options for how those payments are managed once the 2025 changes take effect.
What this means for professionals and community organisations
For practitioners, managers, and small providers, the recent updates underline a few important points:
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Codes of Practice carry legal weight. Local authorities must act in accordance with them.
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Co-production and partnership are no longer optional extras; they are central expectations.
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Social value and quality are being placed alongside efficiency as commissioning priorities.
For community-based and user-led organisations, the new framework represents an opportunity to contribute more visibly to the care and support landscape in Wales—while also carrying the responsibility to maintain strong governance, safeguarding, and equality standards.
Finding reliable information
The most up-to-date versions of the Codes of Practice and supporting guidance are published on the Welsh Government and Social Care Wales websites. These sites provide accessible summaries for both professionals and members of the public.
If in doubt, it’s best to check those sources rather than rely on social media commentary, as changes are updated there first.
A gentle reminder
The landscape of social care in Wales is evolving, but the spirit of the 2014 Act remains exactly the same: to promote well-being, independence, and choice, and to make sure people’s voices are heard.
The new Codes and frameworks aim to strengthen those principles and ensure they are delivered consistently across the country. They do not remove existing rights or entitlements.
Need further clarity?
Questions about how these updates might apply to individual circumstances are completely normal, and it can often be difficult to find clear information. Independent, community-based guidance and advocacy services are available across Wales to help people understand their rights and options.
Messages can also be sent through this page for signposting or general information. Please note that this page provides professional non-statutory advocacy and guidance, not legal or clinical advice.
