Home care in the United Kingdom
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Home care in the United Kingdom (also referred to as domiciliary care, social care, homecare or in-home care) is supportive care provided for older and disabled people in their own homes. Social care is non-medical and is concerned with providing support, often daily, to help to ensure that the activities of daily living needs (ADLs) are met.
Home care is purchased by the service user directly from independent home care agencies or as part of the statutory responsibility of social services departments of local authorities who either provide care by their own employees, commission services from independent agencies, or provide direct payments so that individuals care purchase their own care services. Care can also be purchased directly from independent carers or via care platforms. Care is usually provided once or twice a day with the aim of keeping frail or disabled people healthy and independent though can extend to full-time help by a live-in nurse or professional carer. In England, home care providers need to be registered with Care Quality Commission (CQC) before they can provide the regulated activity of personal care in the community.
The United Kingdom Home Care Association is the trade organisation for providers of care at home.[1][2]
Statutory regulation
Home care agencies are regulated by statutory bodies in three of the four home nations. The regulator's function is to ensure that home care agencies work within the applicable legislation.
England
The regulator is the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which acts as the independent regulator for health and adult social care in England.[3]
- Legislation
- The Health and Social Care Act 2008
- The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010
Wales
The regulator is Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW).[4]
- Legislation
Scotland
The regulator is the Care Commission.[7]
- Legislation
- The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001[8]
Northern Ireland
The regulator is the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA).[9] As of December 2007[update], legislation covering the homecare sector in Northern Ireland is not yet fully operational.
- Legislation