Resources

New - UKHCA Guidance: Portability of Criminal Records Bureau Disclosures in England

This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.

The Department of Health (DH) has relaxed its position on the use of Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) Certificates, effectively introducing a limited system of "portability" for care services regulated by CQC. This applies in services provided to adults (but not children) in England and allows employers - under certain circumstances - to accept a Disclosure Certificate from a prospective employee, provided it is no more than 3 months old and is at the appropriate level. Here, the employer does not need to complete a new application for a Disclosure. UKHCA has produced guidance for members on using portability in homecare services, which includes recent DH and CQC guidance. [ID 300]

Download UKHCA Guidance: Portability of Criminal Records Bureau Disclosures in England

UKHCA Guidance: Controlling Scalding Risks from Bathing and Showering

This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.

Care workers work in people’s homes where they are unable to control the physical environment, making health and safety a challenge. This is particularly true when it comes to helping service users bath and shower in their own homes. Our new guidance considers good practice and what providers can do to control scalding risks to service users when care packages include help with bathing and showering. This includes careful risk assessment, staff training, well–drafted and implemented policies and procedures, and the use of equipment, such as thermometers, where appropriate. [ID 286]

Download UKHCA Guidance: Controlling Scalding Risks from Bathing and Showering

Timetable of key employer obligations under the new Vetting and Barring Scheme

This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.

With the media full of the implications of the new Vetting and Barring Scheme for volunteers working with children from next month, members may want to be certain of what changes are taking place and implications for homecare. UKHCA has prepared a table which provides a short overview of the Vetting and Barring Scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Scheme will be administered by the Independent Safeguarding Authority and the table gives a timeline of when some key employer obligations come into force. It isn't an exhaustive reference source for the new scheme but should help members identify when key changes come in to enable planning ahead for the new scheme. [ID 270]

Download Timetable of key employer obligations under the new Vetting and Barring Scheme

UKHCA "No Reply from Service User" Policy Guidance

This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.

The unexpected failure of a service user to answer the door when a care worker arrives, or the inability to gain access by the usual method, should always be regarded as a serious situation requiring immediate investigation and action by careworkers and their managers. UKHCA's new policy guidance helps members to review their existing "No reply" policies and procedures, and develop new ones. [ID 267]

Download UKHCA "No Reply from Service User" Policy Guidance

Adult Protection Toolkit for Domiciliary Care Agencies

Comprehensive information on adult protection in the homecare sector, co-authored by UKHCA and national charity Action on Elder Abuse. The toolkit is primarily designed to give an understanding of the issues surrounding adult protection and signpost homecare providers across the UK to everything they need to know when writing or reviewing procedures and policies to protect vulnerable adults from abuse. [ID 177]

Download Adult Protection Toolkit for Domiciliary Care Agencies

Elder abuse survey sends vital message to homecare sector

With the increasing social isolation of older people, homecare workers and their managers have a vital role in identifying and responding to abuse of the people they care for. [ID 141]

Download Elder abuse survey sends vital message to homecare sector

Adult protection – the best policy (Article from March Homecarer 2007)

This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.

Adult protection has risen over recent years and is now a major issue for social care providers and local authorities. This article looks to answer the question “how can I ensure that our adult protection policy and procedures accord with best practice and regulation?” [ID 161]

Download Adult protection – the best policy (Article from March Homecarer 2007)

homecare in practice - Tackling elder abuse issues (Homecarer May 2005)

This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.

Many organisations have discovered that sourcing elder abuse training can be problematic. This issue's Homecare in Practice explains how your organisation can develop the expertise to run this in-house. [ID 87]

Download homecare in practice - Tackling elder abuse issues (Homecarer May 2005)