§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met representatives from the National Care Homes Association; and if he will take steps to include unregistered homes in its inspection process.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyMy hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State last met representatives from the National Care Homes Association at its annual conference on 19 October 1989.
Under part I of the Registered Homes Act 1984, local social services authorities are required to inspect private and voluntary residential care homes catering for four or more residents. There are no plans at present to extend this requirement to cover homes with fewer than four places. But, as our White Paper "Caring for People" makes clear, our intention is that the quality of all residential care provided and monitored for local authorities by the independent sector should be safeguarded by clearly defined contractual arrangements.