ADSS Cymru is working to ensure that social services departments and the social care sector as a whole are supported in preparing for leaving the EU on Friday 31 January 2020.
We are working with our partners in WLGA, Welsh Government, Social Care Wales and the Welsh NHS Confederation to ensure all public services are equally prepared for this transition.
Information about the activities and events to support Brexit Transition for the social care sector, along with associated resources, will be available on this webpage and updates will be added regularly.
If you are a social care or health professional, looking for information on the impact of Brexit / EU Withdrawal on employment / care provision / supply of medicines, etc you can download a useful FAQs document here.
Latest News
15/09/20
EU Settlement Scheme Webinar hosted by Newfields Law
On 15th September, Cardiff law firm, Newfields Law which specialises in immigration advisory service, hosted a webinar training session for ADSS members to provide social care professionals with an overview of the EU Settlement Scheme including who needs to apply, the application process and important deadlines, as well as how to access the advisory services providing applicant support... view page.
10/01/20
The UK is leaving the EU on 31 January 2020 - so what next?
Before the UK Parliament entered Christmas recess, the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) passed its Second Reading. Following examination and amendments under the House of Lords, the bill will more than likely receive Royal Assent around 23 January. After we officially exit the EU on 31 January, the UK will enter a transition period until December 2020. This transition period was agreed to allow the UK and the EU to agree a deal on their future relationship and trade agreement.
During this period the majority of the current EU rules and trading arrangements remain in place with no significant changes in most areas. The current rules on trading with the EU will remain, as will the right to travel without visas to other EU countries.
EU citizens living in the UK will need to apply for Settled Status. If you haven't yet applied, you can click on the link below to find out more and make your application:
https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
18/10/19
Welsh Government issues posters and leaflets to help health and social care organisations prepare for Brexit.
Click the link to download and print your copy
07/10/19
Welsh Government Bulletin includes guidance on Medical Devices and Clinical Consumables
The latest Brexit bulletin (#6) issued by Welsh Government is a summary of the latest advise and guidance around medical devices and clinical consumables in teh event of a no-deal Brexit.
26/09/19
Welsh Government publishes 'A Brighter Future for Wales'
The Welsh Government published 'A Brighter Future for Wales' - a detailed, evidence-based account of why it believes our interests would be best served by remaining in the EU, and the potential damage of leaving the EU without a deal and making the case for continued membership of the EU. The document considers each of the 6 priorities set out in ‘Securing Wales Future’: Economy, Migration policy, Funding and Investment, Social and environmental protections and values, Constitutional affairs and devolution, Transition.
Download 'A Brighter Future for Wales'
16/09/19
Home Office Guidance for Local Authority and Health and Social Care Trusts on the EU Settlement Scheme for Looked After Children and Care Leavers
The Home Office Guidance is available to download via the Association of Directors of Children's Services (England) website.
The purpose of the information pack is to create a clear understanding of the role that local authorities and health and social care trusts have to ensure that looked after children and care leavers, who are EEA citizens or family members of EEA citizens, make an application to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Download Guidance on EUSS for LAC
16/09/19
Welsh Government Releases it's 'No-Deal' Brexit Action Plan
Welsh Government has published its plan in response to the UK Government’s leaked Yellowhammer documents.
In a written statement released on 16 September, First Minister Mark Drakeford said:
Today, the Welsh Government publishes our No Deal Brexit Action Plan, which sets out the strategic risks and potential impacts associated with leaving the EU without a deal. The plan also provides an overview of measures and actions, which would help to mitigate these impacts as far as it is possible to do so.
The prospect of leaving the EU without a deal remains very real. Parliament has passed an Act requiring the Prime Minister to request an extension to Article 50 until the end of January 2020, if a withdrawal deal has not been agreed by 19 October. But for this to happen, all 27 Member States must agree to an extension – until we know an extension has been requested and agreed by all members of the EU, we cannot dismiss the risk of a no deal exit at the end of October. Even achieving an extension might, only delay the risk of no deal by a few months.
On this basis, the Welsh Government must continue to prepare for a no deal exit and its consequences...Read full written statement.
A key action of the No Deal Action Plan:
- Support for Social Care providers - Welsh Government is working with social care commissioners and providers to assess potential vulnerabilities. Welsh Government is considering options for system-wide support which could be made available in the event of significant increases in staffing and/or supply costs.
Download the Brexit Action Plan
UK Government launches EU Settlement Scheme 'Community Leaders Toolkit' for local authorities
21/06/19
UK Government has launched a suite of materials to equip local authorities and community groups with tools and information to support EU citizens and their families in applying to the EU Settlement Scheme. The materials include an introduction, a guide to communicating with EU citizens, fact sheets and posters... link to toolkit
Welsh Government publishes further Health and Social Services Brexit Bulletin on 'No Deal' preparations
30/05/19
The latest Brexit bulletin issued by Welsh Government is a summary of the issues affecting health and social care in Wales. This latest bulletin is focused on the latest political developments at Westminster and the importance of continuing with our ‘no deal’ Brexit preparations.
Bulletin #5 - 'No Deal' preparations
WLGA publishes Diagnostic Interviews with Welsh Local Authorities on their Brexit Preparedness
18/04/19
WLGA commissioned Grant Thornton UK LLP to carry out diagnostic interviews with all Welsh local authorities on their preparedness measures for the event of a no-deal Brexit. Brexit Leads for 20 of the 22 local authorities were interviewed in March... read the full report
Welsh Government releases film featuring Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton
The film focuses on the potential food shortages that may occur as a result of Brexit, as well as the EU Settlement scheme. Dr Atherton provides reassurances of the unlikelihood of food shortage on the whole in the health and social care sector, but notes there may be short-term disruption to supply of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Welsh language version - Chief medical Officer film
English language version - Chief medical Officer film
Social Care Wales releases video addressing EU workers within the social care sector in Wales
02/04/19
The film, presented by Malcolm Williams of Social Care Wales, is aimed at reassuring frontline workers and organisations delivering social care, and gives information on how people can access the settled status scheme.
Welsh language version - Social Care Wales film
English language version - Social Care Wales film
Welsh Government Health & Social Services Bulletins
April 2019
The Welsh Government has published a series of four Brexit Bulletins to provide information and advice to social care and health practitioners about potential issues that may arise as Britain exits the EU. Click the links below to access each bulletin.
Bulletin #1 - Medical supplies and general
Bulletin #2 - Food supply and cost
Bulletin #3 - the EU Settlement Scheme
Bulletin #4 - Contingency planning
Welsh Government Releases Film featuring Chief Nursing Officer
14/03/19
Chief Nursing Officer for Wales, Professor Jean White highlighted the value of EU Nationals within nursing in Wales in a video released by Welsh Government on 14 March. Prof. White also explains more about the settled status scheme and how to apply... link to video here.
Up to £45k available to all LAs to support Brexit
Announced 13/03/19
On 13 March, the WG Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James announced that up to £45,000 will be made available to each local authority in Wales, and a further £200,000 will be made available to them through the Welsh Local Government Association... read announcement.
Welsh Brexit Minister announces £500k for LRFs
Announced 11/03/19
Brexit Minister, Jeremy Miles AM announced a further £4 million of new funding to help organisations prepare for Brexit. The funding included £500,000 to help support Local Resilience Forums Civil Contingencies Support – to help support LRFs fulfil their roles in the command, control and co-ordination arrangements for Operation Yellowhammer in Wales... read announcement.
Welsh Government issues response on additional warehouse capacity for NHS supplies in Wales
Published 07/03/19
In reference to the report published by the BBC with regard to additional warehouse capacity being procured by Welsh Government to stockpile medicines for the NHS, a spokesperson has said... read article here
Wales Audit Office hold follow-Up webinar on recent 'no-deal' Brexit report
Streamed 05/03/19
The Wales Audit Office held a webinar on 5 March as a follow-up to it's recent publication of a report by the Auditor General, on the Welsh public sector's preparations for a ‘no deal’ Brexit... read more.
Welsh Government issues a response regarding availability of radioisotopes
Published 05/03/2019
In reference to the report published by the BBC with regard to supplies of radioisotopes and the potential impact on cancer treatment, the Welsh Government has said... read article here
Wales Audit Office delivers key messages on preparations in Wales for a 'No Deal' Brexit
Published: Tuesday 19/02/2019
Auditor General for Wales, Adrian Crompton has set out his early views on the evidence that has been gathered, together with some key messages for public bodies, to help with their planning in the coming weeks and months... read full article.
Welsh Government Film on Medicines featuring Chief Pharmaceutical officer, Andrew Evans
Published: Tuesday 19/02/2019
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Wales, Andrew Evans talks about how we’re managing the supply of medicines if the UK does leave the EU in a ‘no deal’ scenario... see more.
ADSS Cymru, WLGA and partners take part in a joint event on preparing for Brexit
Published: 15/02/2019
The joint conference brought together practitioners, councillors and key stakeholders to discuss the potential impact of Brexit on the social care and health sector, the on-going work to prepare, and the further actions required... read more.
Latest statement by the Welsh Government Minister for Health and Social Services on the Impact of a 'No Deal' Brexit
Published: 21/01/2019
The Welsh Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething has delivered an oral statement to the Welsh Assembly on the potential imapct of a No Deal Brexit on health and social care in Wales... read the statement transcription.
Report by Public Health Wales: The Public Health Implications of Brexit in Wales - A Health Impact Assessment Approach
Published: 21/01/2019
Public Health Wales have published a report examining the potential impact of all aspect of the Brexit / EU Withdrawal on public health in Wales including the risks of impact on access to medicines, staffing, employment opportunities, food standards... read the report.
Survey: Ipsos MORI survey into the social care and childcare sector workforce in Wales
Deadline: 16/01/2019
Welsh Government has commissioned Ipsos MORI to undertake research to understand more about the staff who are working in the social care and childcare sectors as part of its Brexit preparations... see more
Event: ADSS Cymru/Joint Social Care Brexit Preparedness Seminar
14/02/2019
ADSS Cymru is working alongside the WLGA, Care Forum Wales, Social Care Wales and the Welsh NHS Confederation in delivering a Seminar around Brexit preparedness on Thursday 14th February... see more