Community care criticised over safeguarding

An alliance of community projects which help people find home care have been criticised around safeguarding.

The Somerset Cares Alliance is a collective of organisations across the county offering self-employed carers to people who need them.

While Somerset Council plans to invest more into the programme, the Homecare Association has voiced concerns around safeguarding, with its CEO Dr Jane Townson OBE saying: "Many people only discover the difference between regulated and unregulated homecare when something goes wrong."

However David Patterson, co-founder of the Somerset Cares Alliance, said it does check the carers it employs.

Patterson explained that to become a carer for the charity, someone is put through a "thorough" interview, DBS and safeguarding checks and some training courses.

"The carers cover a wide range of work, from companionship, shopping, to making meals. Any care that's needed, we can usually provide the service for them.

"They usually start off at the level they've got experience for. Some people are trained nurses and some are fairly new, starting off doing companionship," Patterson added.

Townsend added: "Our concern is not about limiting choice. It is about informed choice. If citizens understand the system, the safeguards and the risks, and still choose an unregulated arrangement, that is their decision.

"But many people assume all homecare is subject to proper checks, training, supervision and accountability. It is not.

"Unregulated care can appear cheaper, but the hidden cost may be weaker protection for people relying on care and support, and fewer rights for careworkers."

A Somerset Council spokesperson said: "The emergence of community groups is not a symptom of council failure, but rather a deliberate, positive shift towards community empowerment.

"We recognise that often the help provided by people directly from the local community is the most effective."

A government spokesperson said: "This government is addressing the adult social care sector's urgent need for support with over £4.6 billion in additional funding.

"As recommended by Baroness Casey, we will establish a new National Safeguarding Board and urgently review whether the current rules do enough to keep vulnerable people safe."

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