New proposals to bring an end to the burden of regulation on adult
placement carers by switching the focus of inspection to adult
placement schemes have been welcomed by the sector.
The proposed changes involve setting up an entirely new scheme of
regulation for adult placement schemes, which work in a similar way
to fostering agencies in their recruitment, selection and support
of carers.
Currently, adult placement carers who provide overnight
accommodation and personal care are registered individually and
have to meet the requirements of regulation.
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Under the new proposals, adult placement schemes will become
responsible for ensuring carers are suitably assessed, trained,
supported, and monitored to the same standard across England.
Only 35 per cent of adult placement carers were registered with the
National Care Standards Commission in April 2002. A "significant
proportion" of carers have cancelled their registration and decided
to limit their services to people without care needs or who do not
need accommodation in order to avoid the associated costs and red
tape.
The National Association of Adult Placement Services, which has
been pushing for changes to the way adult placements are regulated,
welcomed the proposals. Chairperson Sian Lockwood said: "The burden
of regulation will fall on the scheme rather than the carer, who
will be free to care without the burden of inappropriate levels of
bureaucracy."
The proposals also include plans to widen the Protection of
Vulnerable Adults (Pova) list to protect vulnerable adults in adult
placement schemes.
The proposed regulations are expected to come into effect this
summer.
