http://www.ukhca.co.uk/ The latest news in the home care sector en United Kingdom Homecare Association Ltd. http://backend.userland.com/rss policy@ukhca.co.uk webmaster@ukhca.co.uk Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:55:00 +0100 40 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/images/ukhca.gif http://www.ukhca.co.uk/ The Chair of the United Kingdom Homecare Association, Mike Padgham, has called on Meg Hillier, the Home Office Minister responsible for the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) scheme, to waive the membership fee for ISA for homecare workers. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=35 The influential Public Accounts Committee in Northern Ireland has issued its report on Older People and Domiciliary Care and is clearly convinced more needs to be done to aid the independent homecare sector. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=34 A new Independent Safeguarding Authority is due to register anyone working with vulnerable adults from October 2009 onwards. The fee will be £64 in England and Wales and £58 in Northern Ireland, a huge amount for homecare providers to absorb. Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=33 In many cases homecare workers and their managers are the only people who recognise and raise the alert to situations of domestic abuse and neglect, so their role is crucial. Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=32 The injustices operating in the social care system are a symptom of the underfunding of social care and the lack of attention it receives when compared to health. Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=31 Irrespective of how someone purchases their homecare, whether with public money or with their own funds, they are served by a sector which is continually improving. Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=30 Health and social care approach their services from different directions, health concentrating on patient safety while social care focuses on the importance of user choice and our inherent right to take informed risks. Wed, 9 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=29 Society needs to see the whole picture. Local councils continue to exert a downward pressure on prices paid to homecare providers, while trying to buy more care for less money. Tue, 8 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=28 The agenda is an exciting one for homecare providers, recognising the need for people to remain independent in their communities and to have the freedom to choose services that best meet their needs. Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=26 UKHCA welcomes the increased emphasis from Government that home-based care is the best option for many people, and are committed to working with Government to turn policy into action. Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=27 Members of UKHCA, the homecare sector’s professional representative association, have elected a robust new Board to represent the range of UK homecare providers at its Annual General Meeting this week. Fri, 9 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=25 With so much change on the horizon, we question the wisdom of the current social care regulator, CSCI, in implementing a star ratings system in 2008. Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=24 We welcome the Prime Minister’s high level commitment to homecare. However, at grassroots, service users, their families and carers are living with the reality of services restricted to those deemed in critical need. Tue, 25 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=23 At a local level, councils frequently abuse their dominant purchasing position to drive down the price they pay to independent and voluntary homecare providers. Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=22 Concerns by UKHCA that local authority contracting arrangements impede the development of innovative social care were further evidenced by a report from CSCI: “Safe As Houses? What Drives Investment in Social Care?” Tue, 4 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=21 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. Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=20 UKHCA is committed raising the standard of homecare, and we support CSCI’s ongoing efforts to stamp-out bad practice by irresponsible providers. Tue, 17 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=18 Regulation has been a fundamental part of improving home-based care for some of the most vulnerable people in society. However, UKHCA’s Code of Practice enables our member organisations to operate above the minimum requirements enforceable by regulators. Mon, 2 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/mediastatement_information.aspx?releaseID=17