Explanatory note

This Order brings into effect Part 3 of the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010 (“the Measure”) in relation to two local authority areas (with the exception of part of section 58(6)).

The provisions in Part 3 of the Measure (except part of section 58(6)) are already in force in relation to the local authority areas of Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Flintshire, Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Powys, Wrexham, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend and Swansea. This Order brings the Part 3 provisions into force in relation to the remaining four local authority areas in Wales, namely Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire and Gwynedd on 28 February 2014.

The Part 3 provisions place a duty on the listed local authorities to establish one or more integrated family support (“IFS”) teams in their area. A Local Health Board whose area corresponds to the area of a local authority must participate in the establishment of an IFS team. Section 58 sets out the kinds of cases that can be referred to an IFS team and section 58(6) sets out categories of adults who may be subject to a family referral. Only paragraph (a) of section 58(6) is commenced, therefore an IFS team is only able to receive referrals in relation to families where a parent is dependent on alcohol or drugs. Sections 61 and 62 provide for the establishment of IFS boards to oversee the IFS teams.