The Integrated Family Support Teams (Family Support Functions) (Wales) Regulations 2012

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations set out the functions of a local authority and the functions of a Local Health Board that are “family support functions” for the purposes of section 58 of the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010 (“the 2010 Measure”). Section 57 of the 2010 Measure requires local authorities to establish one or more integrated family support (“IFS”) teams in their area and requires a Local Health Board to participate in their establishment. The IFS teams are not separate legal entities but bring together the local authority and the Local Health Board to perform together certain health and social care functions to address the issues of the families whose cases can be referred to it.

These Regulations apply to local authority areas in relation to which section 57 has been brought into force and which have a duty to establish an IFS team. On the date these Regulations are brought onto force section 57 is in force in relation to the following local authority areas: Merthyr Tydfil, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wrexham, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan (see the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010 and the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010 (Commencement No 4) Order 2012).

Section 58(2) of the 2010 Measure allows the Welsh Ministers to prescribe certain local authority social services functions and certain functions of a Local Health Board or NHS Trust as “family support functions”. A local authority, with the consent of the participating Local Health Board, must decide which of its own and the Local Health Board’s “family support functions” to assign to the IFS team.

Subsections (5) to (8) of section 58 set out the particular types of cases that a local authority may refer to an IFS team. The statutory functions identified apply more widely than the types of case in question might require so the tables in the Schedule to these Regulations include text narrowing the focus to the relevant area.

Section 58(12) of the 2010 Measure provides that functions prescribed as “family support functions” and which are assigned to an IFS team will continue to be exercised by the local authority and a Local Health Board outside the team as well as being performed within the team.

These Regulations revoke the Integrated Family Support Teams (Family Support Functions) (Wales) Regulations 2010 (S.I 2010/1701) (W.162).

The Welsh Ministers' Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations. A copy can be obtained from the Directorate of Health, Social Services and Children, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.