U-turn over human rights protection for home care

Thu,24 April 2014
News Equality & Rights

Disabled and older people receiving state-funded care in their own homes will now be given additional protection by the Human Rights Act.

An amendment to the care bill will be tabled in the Lords to make sure that the Human Rights Act covers people receiving care in their own home, whether from the state or a private body under contract to the state. It will not apply to self-funded, privately provided care.

The announcement represents a Government U-turn and follows six months of campaigning by disabled and older people’s charities and pressure groups.

Sue Bott from Disability Rights UK said:

"We are delighted that the Government has finally agreed with disabled people – and we applaud Lord Low and his fellow peers for pursuing this crucial human rights issue to a successful conclusion. Disabled people will be reassured that in future their human rights will be protected whoever is providing their services, whether a private concern, a charity or a public body. Human rights abuses are all too common in care settings – think of Winterbourne View – and this will give people rights to be treated with respect’.  

For more information see: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/24/uturn-human-rights-home-care