SCIE media releases 2008

Promoting dignity within the law: new advice for health and social care workers

15 February 2008

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has launched a new guide, commissioned by the Department of Health, to help practitioners and commissioners of health and social care services understand the way legislation protects people’s rights to be treated with dignity.

There are several areas of the law that promote dignity and autonomy of choice. This guide outlines the workings of the Human Rights Act 1998 and some key legal provisions in the areas of discrimination, mental capacity, sexual offences, information legislation and health and safety. It also suggests ways in which apparent conflicts between the legal responsibilities placed upon practitioners and commissioners and the human rights of people who use services may be resolved.

Chief Executive of SCIE, Julie Jones, said:

“As commissioners, managers and practitioners strive to deliver services that are based on evidence-based recommendations, it is essential that they understand how the law affects their practice. This guide seeks to demystify the law by explaining how it works, fits together, and is designed to protect the rights of both people who use services and those who work in them. 

“The requirements of legislation can seem intimidating, but by exploring and understanding human rights law, people who work in health and social care will have a better understanding of what dignity in care means and how they can work to promote it.”

The guide, 'Promoting dignity within the law', is part of the Dignity in care campaign coordinated by the Department of Health. Announcing the launch at today’s Dignity conference in Manchester, Care Services Minister, Ivan Lewis, said:

“Older people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect at all times. Our national dignity in care campaign is helping to put dignity at the heart of all care services and staff are key to this.

“This guide will play an important role in helping to ensure that health and social care staff understand how legislation protects people’s rights to be treated with dignity.“

Media contacts

Annie Goss | Media and PR Manager | T: 020 7089 7117 | M:  07739 458 192 | Email: media@scie.org.uk

Department of Health | T: 020 7210 5221