Formal Inquiry into the human rights of older people receiving home-based care in England

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• Nature of social care is changing rapidly with an increasing number of care transactions likely to take place at the margins of, or even outside of, regulated care.

• Much home based care is of a highly personal and sensitive nature and delivered ‘behind closed doors’.

• Most of the attention has been on human rights in institutional settings.

• Evidence of potential risks to older people’s human rights – more often due to lack of awareness rather than deliberate neglect.

Background

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Under Section 3 of the Equality Act 2006, the Commission is using its powers to conduct an Inquiry into older people and human rights in home based (not residential homes) care and support.

We are looking to gather positive and less satisfactory experiences from older people, their carers and friends/family in order to gauge a picture of the quality of care in relation to human rights. A report will then be submitted to government to influence the Independent Commission on social care reform.

Inquiry

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The Commission is looking for evidence from individuals, carers and organisations representing older people (age 65 plus).

We are gathering experiences to find out:

* if homecare services promote the dignity and independence of older people.

* how people's home and family life is respected. This includes ensuring correspondence and personal information is kept private.

* if people are provided with information with which to make an informed choice about their care.

* if people are listened to and have their opinions acknowledged, accepted and acted on.

What we are looking for

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Type of care and supportExamples include assistance with:

• Washing, bathing and getting dressed• Meal preparation• Laundry and housework• Attending day activities • Shopping • Medication

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Timeline • Core evidence gathering

10th Nov 2010 – 4th Feb 2011

• Interviews with older people and families December – March 2011

• Good practice case studies and analysisApril – July 2011

• Findings and recommendationsDecember 2011

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How do I find out more?All information including the Call for Evidence and Terms of Reference will be published on the Commission’s website and available from our Helpline to order from 10 th November:www.equalityhumanrights.com/homecareinquiry

Please note that the Commission will ensure all information we refer to in our final report is anonymous unless the individual/organisation consents to being identified.

Queries should be directed to: homecare@equalityhumanrights.com

Telephone: 08456 046 610Textphone: 08456 046 620

Homecare Inquiry Equality and Human Rights Commission FREEPOST RRLL-GHUX-CTRXArndale House, Arndale CentreManchester, M4 3AQ

 

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End of Presentation