12.03.11
Support workers standards to be developed
Development of national minimum training standards and a code of conduct for health and social care support workers is due to begin in April.
The Department of Health has commissioned Skills for Health and Skills for Care to produce a report, in consultation with unions, support workers, regulators and education providers, to be published this September.
This will help define the minimum training requirements and induction standards for a range of core support tasks, clarify levels of accountability and provide a mechanism for employers to assure the competence and behaviours of support workers.
The standards will be delivered ahead of the establishment of a voluntary register for health and social care support workers, for which the standards and code of conduct will be used as a basis for entry.
Skills for Health chief executive John Rogers said: “We are delighted to be asked to develop the code of conduct and standards for healthcare support workers. This will build on the work we have already undertaken to develop competences and support learning and skills development for this group of staff who are an essential part of the health sector workforce and make a vital contribution to patient care.”
Skills for Care chief executive Sharon Allen said: “Skills for Care believes this is a vitally important piece of work to be developed with employers and key partners across adult social care. We will be talking with employers and other partners to make sure the standards effectively support the professional development of the 1.56 million people who work in our sector enabling them to provide person centred care and support.”
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