Executive announces new service standards

New draft service standards for day care, respite and adoption
services have been issued by the Scottish executive.

The new standards were drawn up by the Scottish National
Standards Care Committee whose 50 strong membership comprises of
service users, carers, providers and professionals covering a wide
range of interests. The independent committee was drawn up in 1999
by the Scottish executive to comment on all standards which fall
under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001.

In launching the draft standards, Malcolm Chisholm, deputy
minister for community care, said: “They are common sense standards
which will make a real difference to the day to day lives of
service users, their carers, families and friends.” Key aspects
include helping new service users develop their own life plan,
demonstrating how assessed needs will be met, catering for
communication needs, quality of nutrition covering all religious
needs and the involvement of service users and their families in
the trial use of services.

Where service users or their families believe that their needs
are not being met, a new system of advocacy and support is to be
introduced. The new proposals intend to meet all service users’
needs, and give special mention to children and people with
communication difficulties.

Stephen Nicol, deputy minister for education and young people,
said: “These new standards will guarantee that regardless of where
Scotland’s children and young people receive their care,
their needs and wishes will be fully taken into account.”

* Similar standards have been unveiled in England –
click here to read report.