Clear standards and regulation of the social care workforce play a crucial role in combating elder abuse, according to new research from the General Social Care Council (GSCC). Published in the week that Comic Relief will campaign to raise awareness of elder abuse it reveals that:

· 88 per cent of people believe standards such as those laid out in the codes of practice will help raise standards;
· 87 per cent believe that only properly registered people should hold responsible roles in social care to protect the public;
· 96 per cent believe that poor standards of practice could result in the abuse of older people by care staff.

This new research, commissioned from polling company YouGov, confirms the public’s interest in tackling elder abuse. The research shows that the public’s main concerns about problems in the workforce were poor standards, bogus staff, lack of training, and lack of accountability. Over 90 per cent of those questioned thought these factors could result in the abuse of older people by care staff.

Lynne Berry, Chief Executive of the GSCC said:

“Older people are entitled to be treated with dignity and to have their wishes and privacy respected. The GSCC’S codes of practice set out these rights in black and white and it is essential people know the standards the sector must follow.”

“This new research shows the public see the need for clear standards of practice, training and workforce accountability. We welcome this and can assure them that work is well underway in all these areas, including the requirement for all social workers to apply for registration by 1 April with the GSCC. This will help combat the risk of elder abuse but also renew public confidence in the workforce, a new beginning for the sector.”

102 year-old care home resident Ada Carter from West Sussex has given her backing to wider awareness of the codes in the sector:

“I have lived at Whitcomb House for 18 years and I am lucky that the staff here are wonderful. But it is reassuring to know there are certain standards in place and I am keen to spread the word to older people and those concerned about their loved ones. The codes of practice and registration are very important in helping ensure that older people are listened to and treated with respect.”

Gary Fitzgerald, Chief Executive at Action on Elder Abuse said:

"The research conducted by the GSCC demonstrates a public concern for the need for a properly regulated workforce where vulnerable people are dependent on services. The research also demonstrates the growing public awareness of elder abuse and the need for effective strategies to combat and contain it."

"Our own experience is that although the public are eager to tackle the problem, they are, often, not aware of the support strategies currently in place. There is a real necessity for a public awareness campaign to inform people of services such as the GSCC standards, but it needs to be supported by ongoing action which will provide rigorous controls and real safety mechanisms. We commend the GSCC for demonstrating a clear commitment to tackling the issue of elder abuse and they have our full backing."

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gscc 003.05 10 March 2005

Notes to editors

A photograph of Ada and the care home staff at Whitcomb care home wearing red noses is available. Please contact Niamh on the above number.
This research was carried out between 25-28 February 2005. YouGov interviewed a sample of 2028 individuals. The survey was carried out online. Full details available on request.
The research showed that following numbers of respondents felt these issues could result in the abuse of older people by care staff:
· poor standards of practice – 96%;
· bogus staff posing as being trained or someone they are not – 95%;
· lack of training - 93%;
· no accountability – 93%.

The research also showed that:
· 84% of respondents believe that elderly people should only be cared for by staff who are properly trained, checked and accountable;
· 87% of respondents believe that only allowing properly registered people to hold responsible roles in social care would help raise standards and protect the public;
· 88% of respondents believe that having a set of standards in place which all social care workers are required to follow will help in the fight against elder abuse.
· A higher percentage of women than men agreed with each of these statements.

Full details can be found on our website at www.gscc.org.uk.
Elder abuse involves harm caused by people who have a trusting relationship with the older person such as relatives, nurses, care workers and home helps and encompasses an older person’s mental and physical needs being neglected as well as actively hurting the person.
Services users can check if their social worker is registered online on the publicly-searchable register on www.gscc.org.uk.
All social care workers and employers are required to abide by the codes of practice. The Commission for Social Care Inspection take the codes into account in their enforcement of care standards. Abiding by the codes is a condition of registration with the General Social Care Council. The codes of practice are available free of charge in a variety of formats, including Braille, audio, sign language, pictorial, large print and 30 languages. The codes are available upon request either by calling the information line on 020 7397 5800, by emailing info@gscc.org.uk or via the GSCC website www.gscc.org.uk.
The General Social Care Council came into being on 1 October 2001. It was set up in England under the Care Standards Act 2000 to establish codes of practice for social care workers and employers, to set up a register of social care workers and to regulate social work education and training. Similar bodies exist in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.