Personal care provision in Lancashire is provided almost exclusively by independent sector providers generally within a "preferred provider" scheme, the reliance therefore upon the independent sector in the provision of care is critical. A key piece of work has therefore been undertaken to raise awareness in relation to dignity and how to take this forward. Through this work Lancashire has developed a dignity in care charter in conjunction with providers.
In terms of the training and support given to independent sector providers Lancashire County Council has invested to helping providers to deliver high quality care. This includes funding several joint projects with Lancashire Workforce Development Partnership (LWDP).
One "Improver Project" is specifically designed to provide additional support to providers who achieved a "poor" or "adequate" rating in their Care Quality Commission report, to make them aware of the support available from LWDP and to provide assistance to improve the care they deliver and ultimately their rating. Details of the Improver Project can be found on the LWDP website.
A further project about to go live after some twelve months of development is an E-leaning facility for independent sector providers. The E-learning format will be launched in the first week of January 2010 and go live on Monday the 11th of January with the initial topic being Dignity in Care. Some 800-1000 independent sector providers will be advised of and therefore have access to this free-cost training directly related to Lancashire's Dignity in Care Charter.
In addition to this assistance the "preferred provider" scheme operated by Lancashire County Council expects preferred providers to demonstrate higher standards of care in return for their preferential status which includes a quality premium payment.
Those providers however who also "sign-up" to the "Dignity in Care Charter" receive an additional small premium in their fees. This is outlined in both the residential care contract (clause 24) and domiciliary care contract (clause 2.3) making it a contractual requirement to meet the conditions related to the Dignity Charter and "maintaining its standards as they are developed" on behalf of the people they care for.
These initiatives and this level of investment demonstrates to independent sector providers that the council is genuinely committed to supporting them to achieve high standards of care specifically in relation to the dignity agenda.