MPs and peers are calling for evidence on the ability of social care staff to support people with dementia.

The all-party parliamentary group on dementia has launched an inquiry on the state of dementia care training and skills among care home and domiciliary care staff.

Last week's national dementia strategy for England included plans to develop long-term training programmes in dementia for social care staff, led by the new National Skills Academy for Social Care.

Senior appointments

All care homes will also have to appoint a senior staff member to lead improvements in the quality of dementia care.

The parliamentary group's chair, Jeremy Wright MP, said: "Our work so far has made clear the importance of effective training in dementia and how little of it is currently undertaken."

Encouraging submissions to inquiry

The Alzheimer's Society, which supports the all-party group, said it was encouraging people with dementia and their carers to submit their experiences of social care to the inquiry.

The deadline for written evidence is 6 March and the all-party group will also begin hearing evidence in March.

Community Care is holding a conference on dementia on 26 February.

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National dementia strategy