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Health Care

Answer

To minimise abuse and neglect of older people, the Department has been active in promoting better and more consistent standards of care through the publication and implementation of the national service framework for older people and the introduction of national minimum standards (NMS) for a range of services provided to older people in their own homes or in care settings. Employers in regulated social care services have a statutory duty to ensure the safety of older people by training staff to prevent service users from being harmed or being placed at risk of harm.We also expect local councils and providers of non-regulated social care to comply by ““No Secrets””, a statutory guide for developing a multi-agency framework for prevention and investigation of abuse to vulnerable adults. ““No Secrets””, jointly published by the Department and the Home Office in 2000, provides a complete definition of abuse and a framework for councils to work with the police, the national health service and regulators to tackle and prevent abuse occurring. It encourages councils to publicise their adult protection procedures so that all older people are aware of how to seek help if needed. ““No Secrets”” gives local councils the lead for development of adult protection committees. A copy is available in the Library.On 7 February, I announced that the General Social Care Council is undertaking a consultation on registering the social care work force. This will allow us to set standards for people seeking social care jobs and to take sanctions against people if they fall below those standards of registration. A well-trained and fully registered work force will enable older people, parents and children to have confidence in the people who care for them.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

53864; 443 c1243-4W;443 c1243-4W

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Abuse Older people

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk