Welsh assessments provoke unions ire

Trade unions are furious at the way the unified assessment process has been introduced in Wales.

The forms are much longer than those used in the previous assessments and all 22 Welsh councils have developed different ones.

Unison said it was concerned that social workers had not been consulted over the development of the forms. Social workers in Swansea were so angry that Unison and other unions have started dispute proceedings.

Social workers could also find local health trusts use a different type of assessment form.

Chris Maggs, head of mental health and learning disabilities at Swansea Council, said it was “unfortunate” there had been problems with the transition to the new forms.

“Staff are using the forms and we are now in talks with unions to better understand the concerns they have and whether they need to change,” he said.