Links & Legislation

Useful Links & other Relevant Information

www.dh.gov.uk
www.valuingpeople.gov.uk
www.gscc.org.uk
www.cqc.org.uk
www.communitycare.co.uk
www.dlf.org.uk
www.nice.org.uk
www.healthcare-assistants.co.uk
www.opsi.gov.uk

These websites above will provide you with much of the knowledge that you will need to know to achieve your NVQ.

More importantly, this underpinning knowledge will enable you to increase your skills and your performance, so that you deliver the best possible practice within your work role.

To give you a deeper understanding of the legislation/organisational policy structure we have written a brief summary of how legislation comes into force and how the organisation develops their policies and procedures to relate to the legislation.

Green Paper

A green paper is a government proposal intended to “test the water” through public opinion without any commitment to action, it is often put out for public debate. If public opinion is seen to be favourable then the Green Paper may lead on to becoming a White Paper.

White Paper

A White Paper is issued by the government and will lay out policy, or proposed action, on a topic of current concern. The White Paper therefore will often lead to new legislation.

An example of this is The ‘Valuing People’ White Paper. This was a new strategy for people with a learning disability, designed to make their lives and the lives of their families better. This paper has completely changed the face of care services today, leading to a more person-centred approach, and a better quality of care that the service user can expect to receive.

Legislation

This can take a long time to come into force and, before it does, it will have resulted from a Bill being passed back and forth from the House of Lords.
When the Act of Parliament is finally passed and becomes legislation, it usually remains fundamentally unchanged, but can be amended.

An example of this is The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
This Act changed the way we work as well as our employer’s responsibilities for our safety, however there have been changes and improvements along the way but these are added as Regulations. The legislation remains unchanged.

Examples of this are:

• Manual Handling Regulations
• LOLER (The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998)
• RIDDOR (The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations)
• COSHH ( Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
• Health & Safety Regulations (First Aid)
• Management of HSAW Regulations (Risk Assessments)

By law, all organisations must have policies and procedures in place that reflects legislation and regulations; this is to protect the organisation, the employees and the service users themselves.

Examples of this are:

• Manual Handling Policy
• RIDDOR Policy
• COSHH Policy
• First Aid Policy
• Risk Assessment Policy

We at NVQME hope this has helped you to understand a little more about legislation and policy, it is important for us to help support you. But more importantly, it is vital for your own well being and the wellbeing of others that you take the time to read your Policy Manual.