Legislation Health and Social Care
Health & Social Care NVQs
Legislation England
Legislation Information (England)
Introduction
In this document you will find an overview of some of the Government Policy and legislation which has an impact on workers in health and social care settings. You will be able to identify the legislation that most affects the work you do, and will have a broad understanding of the International, European and UK Government policy that has an impact upon the way we must work. Plans for genuine partnership working between health and social services lie at the heart of the government's strategy to modernise the management and delivery of social care. The emphasis is upon empowerment, person centred planning, public protection and a well trained and regulated workforce to deliver quality services. You will see the trends in the following pages as legislation, policy and guidelines all reflect the same aim. There will often be differences between the four countries of the UK as devolution has enabled each country to focus upon their own priorities. How devolution affects health and social care workers Devolution is the process by which power has been transferred from Westminster to three countries of the UK. The framework for devolution is laid down in the Scotland Act 1998, the Government of Wales Act 1998 and the Northern Ireland Act 1998. There are different levels of devolved responsibilities for each country. Scotland has a Parliament and an Executive based upon the Westminster model. Under the Scotland Act 1998, the Parliament can pass Acts and the Executive can make secondary legislation in many areas. Under the Government of Wales Act 1998, powers in certain areas have been delegated to the National Assembly for Wales. The Assembly can make secondary legislation in these ‘devolved areas’, but primary legislation for Wales is still made by the UK Parliament. Devolution in Northern Ireland is linked closely to the success of the peace process; issues with this have
Legislation England
Legislation Information (England)
Introduction
In this document you will find an overview of some of the Government Policy and legislation which has an impact on workers in health and social care settings. You will be able to identify the legislation that most affects the work you do, and will have a broad understanding of the International, European and UK Government policy that has an impact upon the way we must work. Plans for genuine partnership working between health and social services lie at the heart of the government's strategy to modernise the management and delivery of social care. The emphasis is upon empowerment, person centred planning, public protection and a well trained and regulated workforce to deliver quality services. You will see the trends in the following pages as legislation, policy and guidelines all reflect the same aim. There will often be differences between the four countries of the UK as devolution has enabled each country to focus upon their own priorities. How devolution affects health and social care workers Devolution is the process by which power has been transferred from Westminster to three countries of the UK. The framework for devolution is laid down in the Scotland Act 1998, the Government of Wales Act 1998 and the Northern Ireland Act 1998. There are different levels of devolved responsibilities for each country. Scotland has a Parliament and an Executive based upon the Westminster model. Under the Scotland Act 1998, the Parliament can pass Acts and the Executive can make secondary legislation in many areas. Under the Government of Wales Act 1998, powers in certain areas have been delegated to the National Assembly for Wales. The Assembly can make secondary legislation in these ‘devolved areas’, but primary legislation for Wales is still made by the UK Parliament. Devolution in Northern Ireland is linked closely to the success of the peace process; issues with this have