Tuesday, 07 June 2011 08:33

 

 

Dementia affects many people across the country.  It is a condition that changes the lives not only of those diagnosed but also those close to them.  Making sure social care and health workers have the appropriate skills and knowledge to best support and care for people with dementia is a must.

Launched at Alzheimer Scotland’s annual conference today and during Dementia Awareness week, the SSSC and NES’s Promoting Excellence framework sets outs the expectations about the knowledge and skills the whole of the health and social service workforce must have.  This includes staff working in acute hospital wards, care homes and care at home services and addresses the skills needs of professionals with a variety of roles including consultant psychiatrist, care at home support worker or gardener in a care home.

As well as ensuring the support of those with dementia, the framework also provides knowledge and skills guidance for those who may develop dementia, or those who recently diagnosed with dementia, their carers and families. 

Anna Fowlie, SSSC Chief Executive said:

“People affected by dementia are entitled to services which are excellent in every way, and it’s important that each person with dementia is treated uniquely. The service they get must reflect their own personal journey through dementia, including the experience of their family.  Developed with the involvement of many different people, the framework shows a commitment from all in social service and health organisations to delivering world class dementia services in Scotland."

Bob Parry, NES associate director Nursing Midwifery & Allied Health Professions (NMAHP) said:

"We welcome working with SSSC as an excellent example of working across sectoral boundaries, to improve care for people with dementia their families and carers".

The framework will be used by:

·         individual workers to help understand the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours expected of them to deliver services

·         by individual workers to identify and explore areas of strength or gaps in knowledge and skills

·         organisations to create job descriptions and outlines for workers

·         educational and training providers to inform the content of the education and training they provide.

Find the full report on the Scottish Government’s website.

Notes to the editor

Media enquiries – Vanessa Glenday, Information and Communications Officer on 01382 207267.

Picture - front row Henry Simmons (Chief Executive of Alzheimer  Scotland), Nicola Sturgeon (Minister for Health), Edward McLaughlin (Scottish Dementia Working Group), Noni Cobban (Convener of Alzheimer Scotland), Caroline Brown (carer and Council Member of Alzheimer Scotland).  Back row - James McKillop (vice chair of Scottish Dementia Working Group), Agnes Houston (chair of Scottish Dementia Working Group).

Find out more about the SSSC at www.sssc.uk.com

The SSSC was set up in October 2001 under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001.

Its objectives are:

·     to protect those who use services

·     to raise standards of practice

·     to strengthen and support the professionalism of the workforce.

 

The SSSC has five main tasks:

·     to establish registers of key groups of social services staff

·     to publish Codes of Practice for all social services staff and for employers

·     to regulate the training and education of the workforce

·       to undertake the functions of Skills for Care and Development, the sector skills council for the social care, children’s and young people’s workforce and this includes workforce planning

·     to promote education and training.

Each country in the UK has its own regulatory body. They are: the Care Council for Wales, the General Social Care Council (England), the Northern Ireland Social Care Council and the Scottish Social Services Council. The Councils are each responsible for the registration and regulation of social services workers in their country. They work in co-operation with other regulatory bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

For further information about the SSSC please visit: www.sssc.uk.com