Protecting older people

The Society has been deeply concerned by the findings of the recent health select committee's Elder Abuse report and in light of its findings is urging the government to review its plans to reduce the level of protection offered by criminal record checks for people working with vulnerable older people.

The changes are due to come into effect in June 2004 and would allow new staff employed by care homes, domiciliary care agencies and nurse agencies to start work before a satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau disclosure has been completed. The Alzheimer's Society believes the changes are a clear example of ageism. No changes are proposed to the current requirements for CRB disclosures for people working with children.

Chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, Neil Hunt, says:

'Why should there be a decreased level of protection for adults? Three quarters of care home residents have dementia, and people with dementia are frequent users of domiciliary care. They represent one of the most vulnerable sections of society and we do not believe that the proposed system will provide them with adequate protection against abuse or mistreatment. Equally rigorous checks are essential for staff working with both children and adults.'

The Alzheimer's Society recognises the problems that delays in CRB disclosures can cause for employers, but fears the proposed changes overlook the needs of service users. Any changes to the system need to maintain current levels of protection against abuse while improving the present situation for employers. The Alzheimer's Society believes that reducing turnaround time for CRB checks would ease recruitment problems while maintaining levels of protection.

Notes for editors

• Currently, people working in care homes and those working for domiciliary care and nurses agencies need to obtain a CRB check before they can start work. The proposed changes would enable providers to employ someone before the completion of a CRB check on certain conditions. The new Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA), which will come into force on the same day as the government plans to bring in changes to requirements for CRB disclosures (7 June 2004), is not an adequate substitute.
• It is proposed that all new staff receive an induction training. This is to last for three days for domiciliary care staff, but the duration is unspecified for care home staff and nursing agency staff. New care home staff will be closely supervised by a named person, who is always on duty at the same time as them, until their CRB check is complete. Domiciliary care staff can work alone with vulnerable service users following their induction.
• The proposed changes do not affect staff working with children.
• The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers and celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2004.
• Over 750,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's.
• Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over 80.
• There are 18,500 people in the UK under the age of 65 with dementia.
• For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336.
• Our website address is: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/