New guidance for commissioners

The North West Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (NW ADASS) has published new guidance to support commissioners. The guidance sets out to increase implementation of the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) across the adult social care market.

The DSPT is an annual self-assessment that shows adult social care providers what they need to do to keep people’s paper or digital information safe and protect their business from the risk of a data breach or a cyber attack.

It reassures everyone they work with, as well as their clients and families, that they are taking data security seriously and supports them in running a care service that people can trust.

The new guidance provides:

• Example wording of DSPT requirements for councils

Commissioner for Older People and Ageing

to adopt and adapt as adult social care contracts are revised or renewed.

• Guidance on monitoring provider adherence to DSPT requirements within contracts as part of the Better Security, Better Care programme.

Michelle Corrigan, Programme Director of Better Security, Better Care, the official programme of support that helps adult social care providers store and share information safely, said, ‘The guide will help councils encourage adult social care providers to evaluate and improve their data security, whether they be digital or paper-based, by completing their DSPT. This is one of many ways local authorities can support implementation of the DSPT among adult social care providers.'

A consensus statement outlining the need for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing in England has launched.

The statement has been jointly launched by charities Independent Age, Age UK, the Centre for Ageing Better and campaigning organisation the National Pensioners Convention. The campaign for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing has amassed 70 signatories from national organisations across the health and social care sectors.

According to Independent Age, a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing is a role that is independent of Government. It raises awareness and works to resolve issues that people face in their later life. This could be around issues getting the right care and support, or financial issues affecting older people in the cost-of-living crisis and beyond.

The Consensus Statement reads:

‘We call on the UK Government to establish a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing in England to act as an independent champion for older people and ensure that policy and practice across Government considers the long-term needs of people in later life and the implications of our ageing population on society.

‘The support people need in later life from institutions like the NHS and social care, and social security systems are critical, but no single Government department can respond to these issues alone. A commissioner would facilitate the long-term planning that is needed to ensure our economy and public services are adapting to demographic shifts, while also enabling more people to age well. This would not just benefit older people, but our country as a whole.’

Click here to view the Consensus Statement.