THE Scottish Social Services Council, the social service workforce regulator, and the Care Inspectorate, the social care scrutiny and improvement body, have worked together to produce a joint leaflet, Looking after your care, which provides information on the role both organisations have in improving the quality and standards in care services.
The new leaflet is designed to help inform staff, people who use services and carers on the standards of care they should expect and receive from the service and importantly what to do if they have concerns and want to make a complaint.
The leaflet has been sent to every registered care service in Scotland, Citizens Advice bureaux, health centres and GP practices, organisations like Alzheimer Scotland and social work offices across the country to help raise awareness among the public and people who provide advice and advocacy.
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the SSSC said: “It is very important that staff, people who use services and their carers understand both organisations and the complementary roles we play in improving the experience and outcomes for people who use social services and their carers. It is crucial that the people who work in social services have the right skills and qualities to provide the high standard of care expected by the public.
“We work closely with our colleagues at the Care Inspectorate and I believe that it is important that people who use services, carers, workers and the public are aware of the high standard of care required by regulators. If anyone has a concern about a worker or a service, they need to know how to raise that concern. I hope this leaflet will help them to do that.”
Annette Bruton, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate said: “People who use services, their carers and the wider public are a vital source of intelligence on what is happening day-to-day in care services. The information they give us can make a direct impact on the care delivered in care homes, nurseries, children’s services and by social work departments.
“Where we find problems, we work with the service to make improvements and ensure people who use services get the quality care they deserve. What’s more, we have the powers we need to insist on changes and, ultimately, we can apply to the courts to have a service closed if necessary.
“This new, joint initiative with the SSSC makes it easier for people to know how to raise concerns and be confident that appropriate action will be taken by the right body.”
