Home care providers face human rights probe

An investigation starts today into the protection of human rights of people receiving home care.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission will consider whether adequate safeguards are in place and whether reform is needed.

The roles of the Care Quality Commission, providers and commissioners in guaranteeing that human rights are protected will be assessed.

The EHRC hopes its findings will inform the practice of councils, providers and the CQC as well as influence the Commission on Long-term Care Funding, which is due to report next summer.

“By highlighting deficiencies in the present system, as well as learning from examples of good practice, the commission’s inquiry will ensure that the legal and regulatory framework in which home care providers operate, protects and promotes the human rights of older people, preventing abuses and transforming the way that social care is delivered in England,” said EHRC commissioner Sally Greengross.

The United Kingdom Homecare Association, which represents homecare providers, said it would help with the inquiry.

However, it pointed to regulations which already govern provision which, it said, are underpinned by human rights principles.

“We are particularly pleased that EHRC will include in its inquiry how the human rights of service users directly employing personal assistants will be safeguarded because these services fall outside the legislation that applies to regulated providers,” said UKHCA chief executive Bridget Warr.

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