(1)SCW must comply with the requirements of subsection (2)—
(a)before making any rules under this Act;
(b)before publishing a code of practice under section 112 (codes setting standards of conduct expected of social care workers and their employers);
(c)before publishing guidance under section 162 (guidance for fitness to practise and interim orders panels in respect of proceedings under Part 6),
unless subsection (3) applies.
(2)Before making the rules or publishing the code or guidance SCW must—
(a)publish a draft of the proposed rules, code or guidance accompanied by—
(i)an explanation of the purpose of the proposed rules, code or guidance and a summary of the intended effect of the proposed rules, code or guidance;
(ii)a notice specifying the period within which representations may be made to SCW about the proposal, and
(b)take reasonable steps to give notice of the proposal and the period for making representations to—
(i)social care workers SCW thinks may be affected by the proposal,
(ii)the Welsh Ministers, and
(iii)such other persons SCW thinks appropriate.
(3)This subsection applies if SCW—
(a)is satisfied that the nature of the proposed rules, code or guidance is such that consultation would be inappropriate or disproportionate, and
(b)has obtained the agreement of the Welsh Ministers to proceed without consultation.
(4)Section 184 (service of documents etc.) does not apply to anything done by SCW under subsection (2).