Published: 31 August 2022
We are committed to improving outcomes for people with a learning disability and autistic people. This article outlines one of the ways we are doing this.
Background
We are committed to improving outcomes for people with a learning disability and autistic people. This article outlines one of the ways we are doing this.
In 2017, we published ‘Registering the right support’ following consultation. In 2020, we revised and renamed this guidance Right Support, right care, right culture (RSRCRC). This continues to be statutory guidance under section 23 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
RSRCRC outlines principles of good care and support for people with a learning disability and autistic people. We expect all registered providers providing these specialist services to meet these requirements.
What we are changing
Currently, when applying to register, a provider must tell us if they do plan to provide specialist services for people with a learning disability and autistic people. We then assess their application against our RSRCRC guidance. We do this to ensure their planned model of care is in line with national policy and current best practice.
If a provider does not plan to provide specialist services for people with a learning disability and autistic people, we do not assess them against RSRCRC guidance.
From 1 September 2022
If certain providers tell us if they do not plan to provide these specialist services, we will ask them to agree to us imposing a new routine condition.
This condition says the provider must not provide a specialist service at the specified location to people with a learning disability or autistic people.
If in future, a provider wishes to provide these specialist services, they will need to apply to have this condition removed from their registration. We will assess if their proposed changes align with our RSRCRC guidance before granting the application.
Who this change applies to
We will impose the new routine condition on providers who are registering to carry on certain regulated activities, or applying to vary a condition of their existing registration.
It will be imposed on providers that:
- do not intend to provide a service for people with a learning disability or autistic people
AND
Plan to provide any of these regulated activities:
- Personal care
- Accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care
- Assessment or medical treatment for persons detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.
For more information please see our updated guidance: