Private Care Sector Workforce Initiative
Standards campaign targets Care at home
An article in the recent edition of Care News highlighted the Care Commission campaign to raise awareness of the National Care Standards.
National Care Standards are central to the relationship between care providers and those being cared for. However, research conducted in 2007 highlighted that there was low public
awareness of the Standards and the role they played in helping to raise the quality of care in Scotland. A national campaign was launched in 2008, specifically targeting care users,
their families and potential care seekers. It highlighted how the Standards can be applied to ensure people receive the same quality of care regardless of where they live. By January 2009, awareness
levels in Scotland had doubled.
The final phase of the campaign began in January 2010, targeting people aged 50 and over, who live in Scotland and are seeking or are currently using care services. This phase specifically
focuses on those receiving care in their own home. To accompany the public campaign, a ‘toolkit’ is being provided for care at home providers. The toolkit has been designed to help health and care
professionals to inform their clients of the National Care Standards, helping to explain what they should expect from their care service.
The toolkit will comprise an information leaflet for care workers; postcards, as well as low-cost merchandise for care workers to help keep the Standards front of mind. A training tool will also be supplied to
care at home providers, to train new staff, or offer a refresher to existing staff, on National Care Standards. The training tool will be available as a DVD, by email or in hard copy.
From January 2010 organisations will be contacted and supplied with the training pack and the toolkit materials.
