Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
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Commission issues new guide to help local authorities procure home care for older people
Nearly 500,000 older people receive essential care in their own home paid for wholly or partly by their local authority and the guide follows the Commission's in-depth formal Inquiry into the human rights of older people in home care (1).
The Inquiry found although many were satisfied with their care, human rights breaches had a severe impact on others. These included physical and financial abuse, disregarding privacy and dignity, failing to support them with eating and treating people as if they were invisible.
It revealed that whilst some local authorities were driven by quality when commissioning home care, most were not making the most of the scope they have for promoting and protecting older people's human rights.
Five key messages lie at the heart of the guidance, not least it is the law, but also that complying with human rights obligations is practical and ensures accountability and efficiency.
The new guide explains how quality of home care can be driven up by building a human rights culture and looks at the commissioning cycle, including Pre-Qualification Questionnaires and Invitations to Tender.
Equality and Human Rights Commission CEO, Mark Hammond said:
“The Commission's Inquiry took evidence from people in local authorities involved in commissioning home care and many told us they would welcome practical written guidance on their obligations under the Human Rights Act.
“This guidance will help local authorities take a human rights based approach to commissioning care, which empowers service users and provides a set of common values for front line staff. If the guidance is fully respected it will mean people can live in their own homes confident that they are safe from inhuman or degrading treatment, their autonomy and independence is maintained as far as possible and their dignity and privacy is protected."
The guide was written in collaboration with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, the United Kingdom Homecare Association and the British Institute of Human Rights.
For more press information contact the Commission’s media office on 0161 8298102, out of hours 07767 272 818.
Notes to Editors
(1) The Commission's Inquiry into home care was focused on England and published in 2011 http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/legal-and-policy/inquiries-and-assessments/inquiry-into-home-care-of-older-people/close-to-home-report/
Guidance on human rights for commissioners of home care
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006. It took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission. It is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain. It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights. The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. It encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act and is recognised by the UN as an ‘A status’ National Human Rights Institute. It also gives advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.
