Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to stop the abuse of vulnerable people by care home staff.

All regulated providers, including care homes, are responsible for assuring the skills and competence of staff to prevent any abuse of those with care and support needs. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) holds regulated providers to account to ensure that care homes provide safe care. Where the CQC identifies evidence of abuse, it will take appropriate action, including raising concerns with the relevant local authority, integrated care board or the police.

The local authority also has a statutory duty to make enquiries regarding safeguarding concerns in all settings, including care homes. The local authority must decide what action is necessary to protect individuals and ensure that any such action is taken. The Health and Care Act 2022 includes provision for the CQC to assess the performance of local authorities’ delivery of adult social care statutory duties and improving safety is a consideration in the development of the framework. This is expected to be implemented from April 2023.