§ Mr. OppenheimTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what further steps he is taking to help local authority social services departments implement their inspection and registration responsibilities for adult residential homes; and what contacts he has had with local authority and private residential care interests on these subjects.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyOn 13 February, the chief social services' inspector in the Department issued "Inspecting for Quality—Guidance on Practice for Inspection Units in Social Services Departments and other Agencies". He also issued a paper entitled, "Inspection Units for Adults: Training Implications" to help with the training of inspection and registration staff. I am placing copies of this material in the Library. On the same day, with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Social Security, I met representatives of a number of private residential care associations with representatives of the Association of County Councils and the Association of Metropolitan Authorities. At this meeting, we explored constructively issues that may arise in the relationship between private home owners and the registration and inspection officials of social services departments. The introduction of inspection units on 1 April 1991, with the new procedures for handling complaints, represent the first phase of the community care policies which the Government will implement in full by April 1993.