People should have more control of social care services, NICE says

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is urging councils in England to help adults have more control over day-to-day tasks like cooking and cleaning.

Adults who need social care should feel in control and be able to live as they want, NICE says in a new guideline out for public consultation.

In 2016, only 33 per cent of adults using social care services felt they had as much control as they would like over their daily life.

NICE says staff should stop making assumptions about a person’s capability to be in control of their own care, for example, if they are severely disabled.

The guidelines suggests using communication aids, such as picture books, to help people to express their views, or interpreters being brought in to help people speak in their chosen language. It also includes recommendations on assessing people’s needs in line with statutory requirements and planning care.

NICE says that local authorities should try to involve people in decision-making outside of their direct care. People could, for example, sit on interview panels when recruiting or training staff.

If people want to get extra help with everyday tasks, the guideline says to discuss available options and support them to recruit suitable personal assistants.

The advice covers any area where adults receive social care, including in people’s own homes, residential care homes and community setting. It says commissioners should provide an independent advocate for people who may struggle to communicate their needs.

Mark Baker, director of the NICE centre for guidelines, said: “Social care is personal, it is about helping people live their life as they want. Our committee looked at the views of people using social care services to find out what they really valued, such as having more control in how their care is planned. We have issued a set of draft recommendations to help providers deliver the care that people want and need.”

Alice Maynard, who chaired the group that developed the guidelines, said: “Those of us who use social care services need them to be able to live an ordinary life. If services are not delivered well, our lives become difficult at best and worthless at worst. This guideline sets out what good social care should be.

“We have issued a set of recommendations we believe will allow people to live ordinary, dignified, worthwhile lives.”