Useful Links
Please note UKHCA is not responsible for the content of any of the sites listed. These links will take you to the external site in a new window.
Filtered to the entire UK.
Business development
BIS – Department for Business Innovation & Skills
www.bis.gov.uk
The Department for Business Innovation and Skills aims to create the conditions for business success by promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed.
Business Link
www.businesslink.gov.uk
On-line information for small business owners in England with guidance on key business issues such as finance, employment law, tax and sector regulation.
Business Support Wales
www.business-support-wales.gov.uk
Business Support Wales is a free, impartial information service created for businesses in Wales.
Health and Safety Executive
www.hse.gov.uk
The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for health and safety regulation in Great Britain, ensuring that risks to people's health and safety in the workplace are properly controlled.
HM Revenue and Customs
www.hmrc.gov.uk
HM Revenue and Customs was formed on the 18 April 2005, following the merger of the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise Departments. It is responsible for ensuring that correct tax is paid at the right time. For queries regarding VAT there is a national helpline number 0845 010 9000.
Information Commissioner's Office
www.ico.gov.uk
All public and private organisations are legally obliged to protect any personal information they hold. Public authorities are also obliged to provide public access to official information. The ICO helps people to understand these obligations and keep the public updated as and when they change.
Invest Northern Ireland
www.investni.com
Invest Northern Ireland is Northern Ireland's main economic development organisation and can offer advice to businesses in Northern Ireland.
Public Contracts Scotland [Social Community Care Supplies and Services]
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/search_category.aspx?CatID=320000
Portal run by Scottish Government to give free access to contracting opportunities in Scotland. It gives details of contracts with Scottish Local authorities, including care at home and Housing Support services.
Scottish Enterprise
www.scottish-enterprise.com
Scottish Enterprise is Scotland's main economic development agency, funded by the Scottish Executive. It offers advice on starting up and running a business in Scotland.
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Care advice and practice (including regulation)
Age UK
www.ageuk.org.uk
Largest UK-wide charity working with and for older people. Runs a helpline to contact on issues relating to care on 0800 00 9966 and provides many helpful publications and factsheets.
Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales
www.cssiw.org.uk
The Commission responsible for regulation and inspection of social care providers in Wales based on legislation and minimum standards.
Care Directions
www.caredirections.co.uk
Online internet guide to the rights and care of older people, and the care options available.
Care Quality Commission
www.cqc.org.uk
The Commission responsible for regulation and inspection of social care providers in England based on legislation and minimum standards.
Carers Direct
www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect
A national website and helpline for those caring for family and friends, which contains advice and information on carer’s rights, entitlements, support and access to education and training.
Carers UK
www.carersuk.org/Home
Carers UK is a national organisation campaigning to highlight the true value of carers' contribution to society and ensure carers get the practical, financial and emotional support they need.
Counsel and Care
www.counselandcare.org.uk
Counsel and Care is a national charity getting the best care and support for older people, their families and carers. It provides advice, information and financial support and influences policies, services and funding.
Elderly Accommodation Counsel
www.eac.org.uk
A charity which helps older people make decisions about where to live and the care they need. This internet link goes directly to their care information site and they also have a sister site which provides advice on housing options www.housingcare.org
First Stop Advice
www.firststopcareadvice.org.uk
First Stop Advice is the comprehensive one stop advisory service for older people, their families and carers covering housing, care, money and rights. One call to the advice line 0800 377 70 70 or one visit to www.firststopcareadvice.org.uk brings together the skills of four organisations working in partnership for the benefit of older people - Help the Aged, Elderly Accommodation Counsel, Counsel and Care and NHFA Care Advice.
National Centre for Independent Living
www.ncil.org.uk
A national charity which is run by disabled people, for disabled people, in order to promote independent living. NCIL can advise on independent living funds and direct payments.
Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)
www.scie.org.uk
SCIE's aim is to develop and promote knowledge about good practice in social care. Using knowledge gathered from diverse sources and a broad range of people and organisations, SCIE develops resources which are available without charge, supporting those working in social care and empowering service users.
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers
www.carers.org
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers offers information, advice and support to the quarter of a million unpaid informal carers, including 13,000 young carers below the age of eighteen.
The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA)
www.rqia.org.uk
The RQIA regulates (registers and inspects) a wide range of health and social care services in Northern Ireland. The regulation of services is based on the new minimum care standards.
The Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care (the Care Commission)
www.carecommission.com
The Commission responsible for regulation and inspection of social care in Scotland based on legislation and care standards.
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Disability Issues
Alzheimer's Society
www.alzheimers.org.uk
A care and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers. The Society has over 250 branches and support groups in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It provides helplines, runs care services, funds medical and scientific research and gives financial help to families in need.A care and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers. The Society has over 250 branches and support groups in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It provides helplines, runs care services, funds medical and scientific research and gives financial help to families in need.
Arthritis Care
www.arthritiscare.org.uk
Arthritis Care exists to support people with arthritis. It is the UK's largest organisation working with and for all people who have arthritis. It is also a user-led organisation which means people with arthritis are at the heart of its work.
British Heart Foundation
www.bhf.org.uk
The aim of the British Heart Foundation is to play a leading role in the fight against disease of the heart and circulatory system. It plays a major role in funding heart research, education and providing advice to people affected by heart disease.
Cystic Fybrosis Trust
www.cftrust.org.uk
As well as research into the causes of Cystic Fybrosis, the Trust helps those affected by the disease to seek advice and care.
Directgov - Public Services all in one place
www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople/fs/en
Information on this site on all aspects of public service support for disability, from finance, to travel and rights and obligations. Other areas of the site also list an A-Z of local council contacts across the UK.
Disabled Living Foundation
www.dlf.org.uk
The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) is a national charity that provides free, impartial advice about all types of products for older and disabled people, their carers and families. The DLF can assist in finding equipment solutions that enable people to stay active and independent.
Huntington's Disease Association
www.hda.org.uk
The HDA is a UK registered charity which supports people affected by Huntington's disease (HD). It also provides information and advice to families, friends and health care professionals whose task it is to support Huntington's disease families.
Marie Curie Cancer Care
www.mariecurie.org.uk
Established in 1948 - the same year as the NHS - Marie Curie Cancer Care is now one of the UK's largest charities.
Employing more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, it provides care to around 25,000 people with cancer every year, along with support for their families.
Mencap
www.mencap.org.uk
Mencap is the UK's leading learning disability charity working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
Mind
www.mind.org.uk
Mind is a leading mental health charity in England and Wales, campaigning to improve life for everyone with experience of mental distress and providing mental health information by phone, email and letter.
Multiple Sclerosis Society
www.mssociety.org.uk
The MS Society is a charity dedicated to helping people affected by MS. Across the UK information and support is available to anyone affected by MS from a network of over 350 local branches.
Parkinson's Disease Society
www.parkinsons.org.uk
The Parkinson's Disease Society is the leading charity dedicated to supporting all people with Parkinson's, their families, friends and carers.
RADAR (Royal Association for Disabilities and Rehabilitation)
www.radar.org.uk
RADAR is a national network of disability organisations and disabled people. It represents members by fast-tracking opinions and concerns to policy-makers and legislators in Westminster and Whitehall, and launching campaigns to promote equality for all disabled people.
Rethink (formerly the National Schizophrenia Fellowship)
www.rethink.org
Working together to help people suffering with severe mental illness to recover a better quality of life. It is the largest national voluntary sector provider of mental health services with over 350 services and more than 130 support groups.
Royal National Institute for the Blind
www.rnib.org.uk
The UK's leading charity offering information, support and advice to over two million people with sight problems. RNIB helps anyone with a sight problem, such as braille and talking books, but also with imaginative and practical solutions to everyday challenges.
Royal National Institute for the Deaf
www.rnid.org.uk
RNID is the largest charity working for the UK's 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people. RNID campaigns, lobbies and raises awareness of hearing loss, and provides services and social and medical research.
Scope
www.scope.org.uk
Scope is the disability organisation in England and Wales whose focus is people with cerebral palsy. The aim of SCOPE is to help disabled achieve equality and it provides helplines, factsheets and other sources of information.
Spinal Injuries Association
www.spinal.co.uk
SIA is the national organisation of spinal cord injured people. It represents interests regardless of how the impairment occurred, whether or not it has resulted in full or partial paralysis. It also supports all those who are affected by spinal cord injury, including the family and friends of the disabled person.
Terrence Higgins Trust
www.tht.org.uk
The Terrence Higgins Trust helps anyone affected by HIV and offers a wide range of support services such as emotional support and information by phone, help with accessing HIV testing, advice about rights, treatment advice and contact with support groups.
The Stroke Association
www.stroke.org.uk
The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation, and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services.
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Disclosure, crime and protection from abuse
Action on Elder Abuse
www.elderabuse.org.uk
Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) works to protect, and prevent the abuse of, vulnerable older adults. It is the only charity in the UK and in Ireland working exclusively on the issue and can provide information on the nature of elder abuse and indicate what action might be taken in response to abuse or to prevent it through its helplines.
Criminal Records Bureau
www.crb.org.uk
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), provides wide access to criminal record information through its Disclosure Service. This will help organisations identify candidates who may be unsuitable for certain work, especially that involve children or vulnerable adults through its checking system. The CRB covers England and Wales.
Disclosure Scotland
www.disclosurescotland.co.uk
Disclosure Scotland is a service designed to enhance public safety by providing organisations the details of criminal history information on individuals applying for posts. Disclosure Scotland issues certificates which give details of an individual's criminal convictions or state that they have none.
NACRO
www.nacro.org.uk
NACRO is the crime reduction charity, finding practical solutions to reducing crime. It offers employers practical advice on the employment of ex-offenders and work with vulnerable adults.
Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Team (Northern Ireland)
www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/hss/child_care/child_protection.htm
The Team keep a list of those individuals who have been deemed as unsuitable to work with vulnerable adults and children, to enable checks to be made for those being considered for work in social care.
The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)
www.isa-gov.org.uk
On 8 November 2006 the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act received royal assent. The Act lays the foundation for a new vetting and barring scheme which will be phased in from autumn 2008, and will make considerable changes to pre-employment screening of homecare providers delivering services for adults and children in England and Wales. This website provides information about the development of the ISA.
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Education and Training
BIS – Department for Business Innovation & Skills
www.bis.gov.uk
The Department for Business Innovation and Skills aims to create the conditions for business success by promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed.
Care Council for Wales
www.ccwales.org.uk
The work of the Care Council in promoting high standards for social care workers will improve the safeguards for users of social care services.
Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
new.wales.gov.uk/about/civilservice/departments/dcells/?lang=en
The Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) is the government department in Wales which aims to improve children's services, education and training provision to secure better outcomes for learners, business, and employers.
Department for Education
www.education.gov.uk
The Department for Education was formed on 12 May 2010 and is responsible for education and children's services.
General Social Care Council
www.gscc.org.uk
The General Social Care Council is the social care workforce regulator in England. It registers social care workers and regulates their conduct and training.
Learning and Skills Council
www.lsc.gov.uk
The LSC exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. It is responsible for planning and funding high-quality vocational education and training for everyone, with the goal of improving the skills of England's young people and adults.
Northern Ireland Social Care Council
www.niscc.info
NISCC has been established to raise standards in the Northern Ireland social care workforce. There are around 30,000 social care workers and the NISCC can help advise on training of the workforce.
Scottish Social Services Council
www.sssc.uk.com
The Scottish Social Services Council is responsible for promoting and developing education and training for the social services workforce in Scotland. It is also responsible for regulating and awarding professional social work qualifications.
Skills for Care (formerly TOPPS England)
www.skillsforcare.org.uk
Working in consultation with carers, employers and service users, Skills for Care aims to modernise adult social care in England, by setting out the qualifications and standards for care work and contributing to training costs.
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Employment, Recruitment and Equal Opportunities
ACAS
www.acas.org.uk
The publicly funded independent arbitration and conciliation service, helping ensure better employment relations. Has a free helpline to answer queries on employment practice and law.
Department of Health Social Care and Social Work Careers website
www.socialworkandcare.co.uk
A new website which provides advice on where to find more information on careers in social care, job vacancies and how to get training and qualifications to assist in career development.
Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
www.equalityni.org
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland is an independent public body established under the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Commission's general duties include working towards the elimination of discrimination in all forms.
Job Centre Plus
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Help and advice on job hunting, and site for employers to advertise their vacancies. The job centre plus site is partaking in annual social care work recruitment campaign, beginning in March 2007.
Working in the UK (UK Border Agency)
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
Home Office site which provides clear information about the various routes open to Foreign Nationals who want to come and work in the UK
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Government in the UK, Legislation And Policy
Directgov
www.direct.gov.uk
Directgov brings together the widest range of public service information and services online. Produced by the Central Office of Information, Directgov provides information from across UK Government departments on topics ranging from travel safety and parental leave to special educational needs and local NHS services.
Northern Ireland Office
www.nio.gov.uk
Economic and social matters will be the responsibility of locally elected Northern Ireland ministers when power is devolved back to the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly. The Government suspended the Assembly and Executive in October 2002 and since then, the Northern Ireland Office has assumed responsibility for these functions.
Office of Public Sector Information
www.opsi.gov.uk
This new site provides the ability to download UK legislation from 1998-2006, including care legislation. OPSI provides a wide range of services to the public, information industry, government and the wider public sector relating to finding, using, sharing and trading information
The Scottish Government
www.scotland.gov.uk
The Scottish Governmentt is responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Scotland, including health, education, justice, rural affairs, and transport.
The Welsh Assembly Government
www.new.wales.gov.uk
The Welsh Assembly Government is responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Wales, including the economy, health, education, and local government.
UK Parliament
www.parliament.uk
The UK Parliament site tracks the progress of legislation through both the House of Commons and House of Lords, enables live viewing of parliamentary speeches and debates and the daily record of activity in the Hansard.
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