Domiciliary Care

The emphasis within care services for older people is shifting away from institutions towards services provided in the home. Less than 5 per cent of older people end their lives in care homes. Not everyone needs support, of course - in 2002, more than 60 per cent of people aged over 80 in England reported no difficulties with specific activities of daily living. But many are supported in their own homes by the army of informal carers, as well as domiciliary services and home-care workers provided by the state. Very recently, traditional services in the home have been joined by 'personal assistants', paid for by the service user from direct payments, or new individual budget schemes.

Resources in this section are aimed at both carers and older people and seek to provide information on what can be done to respect the dignity of older people at home. Links are to relevant websites and organisations setting out guidelines for home care.

Link to the United Kingdom Homecare Association Ltd (UKHCA) website (opens new window). The UKHCA is the professional association of home care providers from the independent, voluntary, not-for-profit and statutory sectors.

Link to the Ceretas website (opens new window). Ceretas is dedicated to individuals working in Home Care.

  • 'With Respect' - Dignity in domiciliary care training materials
    Here are a selection of tools designed for the domiciliary care sector to help deliver dignity training to staff. The materials include example training sessions, good practice ideas and tips on implementing...
  • UKHCA Code of Practice
    The United Kingdom Homecare Association Ltd (UKHCA) is the national representative association for member organisations providing care, including nursing care, to people in their own home. The mission...
  • UKHCA Adult Protection Toolkit
    This toolkit aims to equip home care providers with everything they need to write and review policies and procedures for protecting vulnerable adults from harm. It contains information on: The nature...
  • Dignity in Housing
    A detailed look at policy & practice in relation to achieving dignity in a housing setting.