Schemes take regulation burden from carers in adult placement law

New national minimum standards for adult placement care will
shift the burden of regulation from carers to local authority-run
placement schemes, said the Department of Health in legislation
published this week, writes Haroon
Ashraf.

The current regulatory process is seen as a burden by carers
because it makes them accountable for tasks that are the
responsibility of the schemes, said the Department.

“By regulating adult placement schemes instead of carers,
this will help to ensure that all schemes work to a good standard
and promote the growth of this valuable service,” a
Department spokeswoman told Community Care.

The legislation, which will be enforced from August 31, should also
boost the recruitment and retention of workers in a sector where
26% of carers have left in the past 2 years, according to an
assessment report accompanying the legislation.

The National Association of Adult Placement Services (NAAPS) said,
“Regulation of adult placement schemes is the most effective
and fastest way of driving up standards … and provides best
protection for service users.”

The new rules will also ensure that all carers are assessed,
selected, and trained to the same standards across the UK, said the
Department.

Traditionally adult placement carers have been supported, trained,
and assessed by adult placement schemes — mostly run by local
authorities. Services usually include care or support in the
carer’s home, day services, or outreach support.

In 2000, national minimum standards for carers were published in
the care standards act.

But if carers did not provide accommodation or personal care
they were excluded from directive, which meant 3404 of 5001 carers
were unregulated. The regulated carers found the registration and
inspection regime of the new standards very burdensome, said the
report.