Services Regulations, 2020

L.N. 281 of 2020

SOCIAL CARE STANDARDS AUTHORITY ACT

(CAP. 582)

Social Regulatory Standards for Community-Based and Outreach

Services Regulations, 2020

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by article 30(5) of the

Social Care Standards Authority Act, the Minister responsible for

social welfare, has made the following regulations: -

The title of these regulations is the Social Regulatory

Standards for Community-Based and Outreach Services Regulations,

2020.

(Regulation 2)

Standard 1: Person - Centred Support Interventions

Standard Statement

This statement promotes rights that ensure that service delivery

shall be fair, transparent and comprehensive to be able to respond to

evolving needs. A person-centred support plan shall be devised upon a

holistic assessment carried out for every community member

requesting services.

Quality Indicators

1. The service provider shall safeguard the right for

community members to access quality services in an easy and fair

manner to reinforce community development.

2. The service provider and the community members who

intend to request any service shall enter into a written agreement,

which sets out the terms and conditions for receiving said service.

3. Community members shall be able to identify and discuss

aspects of their life they feel they need to be assisted in and the staff

shall provide the necessary support as part of a thorough planning

process.

Standard 2: Rights and Empowerment of Community Members

Standard Statement

This standard promotes rights that ensure that community

members shall be guaranteed a holistic, respectful and dignified

approach to care with the aim of safeguarding social justice and

fundamental human rights as well as promoting their resilience and

well-being.

Quality Indicators

1. The service provider shall ensure that any information is

delivered in a timely, complete and suitable manner for community

members to understand, without the need for them to feel obliged to

give something in return for the exchange of such information.

2. Community members shall be provided with the necessary

support to exercise their rights and fulfil their responsibilities.

3. The service provider shall promote active participation of

community members and encourages them to exercise their personal

choices and realise their full potential.

These regulations shall by means of the Schedule, elevate

the Social Regulatory Standards for Community-Based and Outreach

Services, to the status of subsidiary legislation under the Social Care

Standards Authority Act.

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires

"Act" means the Social Care Standards Authority Act;

"Authority" means the Social Care Standards Authority as

established by virtue of article 5 of the Social Care Standards

Authority Act;

"children" means persons under the age of eighteen (18);

"community-based centre" means a facility from where

community services are being offered. Support shall be given

from a number of staff members and volunteers who are

competent and supervised to carry out their duties in a

professional manner. They work collaboratively so that

community members make full use of available resources and

opportunities to enhance their well-being, in line with the

principles of community development;

"community-based services" means a range of support

services provided to individuals, families and groups in the

community who might be facing life challenges, difficulties or

situations that require generic and, or specialised support

interventions from social care service providers;

"community development" means the collective effort of

community members to actively influence decision making, and

where possible take decisions themselves in order to promote

their integral development through participative democracy. The

process involves working with, rather than working for

community members, to identify their strengths and needs and

support them to build networks and share experiences and

expertise in a spirit of respect towards other members and

groups. This shall be sustained by organising, educating,

empowering and mobilising individuals within communities

with the aim of promoting sustainable development, economic

opportunities, rights, equality and social justice;

"community members" means a group of people who either

share a particular geographical space or else share common

characteristics, interests, experiences or situations. The latter

type is commonly referred to as "communities of interest".

Community members can either be individuals who access

community-based services such as social work services, or other

specific services offered within a centre, who are seeking to

improve their quality of life in aspects they feel they need to be

assisted in, or individuals who simply wish to participate in

projects, initiatives or activities within the community in general.

Therefore, community members can avail themselves of

community services, be active participants in community events

and can also be providers of services. Their ability to lead a more

independent life shall be enhanced where possible;

"competent person" means a person who has the

appropriate theoretical and, or practical knowledge and, or

experience which render him capable and, or authorised to

undertake specific activities, in line with national legislation,

standards or directives issued by the applicable authorities;

"holistic assessment" means the process by which the staff

identifies the needs and aspirations of community members in

relation to their health, personal, emotional, spiritual and

psychological care, protection and social networking, family

support and which services should be delivered to satisfy these

needs and aspirations;

"independent representative" means a person who is

independent from any aspect of the service and from any agency

involved in the provision of service, working in the name of the

person availing himself of the service or in his interests. The

representative shall carry out such work after having been

formally appointed to do so by the community member in whose

name the said representative is acting, or as stipulated by law,

such as in the case of guardianship;

"interdisciplinary team" means a team made up of a number

of professionals from a range of disciplines working

collaboratively to deliver comprehensive care that addresses the

needs of individuals availing themselves of the service. The team

works for a common purpose, shares common goals and

responsibilities and mobilises resources to fulfil its role;

"key worker" means a worker responsible for co-ordinating

the individuals’ action plan;

"management" means a person or persons who act on

behalf of the service provider to provide leadership to staff and

to oversee and control the proper functioning of the services

offered to community members;

"outreach services" means services which are developed

with the aim of reaching out to citizens in a community to

encourage them to identify their needs, potential and any

limitations. Resources are provided for community members to

access services and available support networks. Outreach

services are fundamental especially amongst marginalised

groups, families and individuals in the community. Ultimately,

the most appropriate support interventions are delivered through

a number of generic and specialised services;

"performance indicator" means an active descriptor of what

service providers need to do to ensure service outputs that

support the quality indicators;

"personal support plan" means a document that is based on

a holistic assessment of the individuals that specifies how the

individuals’ needs and aspirations are going to be met. It also

includes the resources required to fulfill such plan. If services are

required by a family as a unit, the support plan will be compiled

to reflect the situation and the exigencies of all the individuals

within the family;

"policies and procedures" means documents released by

management that regulate how the service shall operate;

"quality indicator" means a statement that sets out the

requirements to achieve compliance with a standard;

"service provider" means a person or an organisation that

provides support through a range of services offered to

community members;

"specialised support services" means services that are

usually required by individuals or groups who present complex

needs and who might be at risk themselves or may be of risk to

others. Specialised services are usually recommended when

generic services or mainstream interventions prove insufficient

to cater for the identified needs;

"staff" means a person engaged by the service provider,

wherein one of the person’s responsibilities is to provide

individual and group support and care. Staff members may also

assume administrative duties simultaneously with their caring

roles. Staff members working in the administration of an

organisation or a centre shall oversee the planning and

implementation of organisational plans and actions and the

enforcement of rules and procedures;

"volunteers" means persons who offer their help in a range

of activities to support other people without getting remunerated

financially for their work. Mutual benefits shall exist in the

relationship between the volunteers and the organisation in

which he is volunteering.

The service provider shall be aware of the community

members’ dietary requirements and food choices, if food is provided

within the community-based centre.

The service provider shall ensure that children are provided

with suitable and age-appropriate services and are consulted to ensure

that the best support is delivered.

Standard 3: Safety and Security

Standard Statement

This standard promotes rights that ensure that the service

provider shall promote systems that guarantee safety and security of

all the staff and community members with the ultimate aim to enhance

their experience and overall well-being.

Quality Indicators

1. The environment from where the services shall be delivered

shall be welcoming, safe, accessible and free from avoidable risks.

2. The service provider shall promote systems that ensure

safeguarding the privacy of all the staff and community members

availing themselves of the service.

3. The service provider shall deal effectively and in a timely

manner whenever community members, or their representatives,

express concern or submit a complaint.

4. The service provider shall ensure that the community

members’ health condition and needs are well known by the

management and staff, if this might have an effect on service provision

in any way.

Standard 4: Data Handling and Information Dissemination

Standard Statement

This standard promotes rights that ensure that the service

provider shall comply with data protection measures when it comes to

using, processing, retaining and disseminating confidential

information pertaining to community members.

Quality Indicators

1. The service provider shall keep a record of important

documentation and other relevant information relating to the

community members in line with respective laws and regulations.

2. The service provider shall ensure appropriate safe keeping

and sharing of information pertaining to community members in line

with respective laws and regulations.

Standard 5: Interagency Collaboration and External Relations

Standard Statement

This standard promotes rights that ensure that the service

provider shall encourage community members to maintain significant

community involvement in activities and initiatives as well as sustain

meaningful relationships for them, if this does not imply any harm to

the individuals, whilst ensuring collaboration with external entities to

ensure effective and cohesive partnerships.

Quality Indicators

1. The service provider shall communicate with significant

persons close to the community members availing themselves of such

services and retains such contact, if this does not harm the said

individuals.

2. The service provider shall collaborate with third parties,

including professionals and support bodies, so as to enhance the care

and well-being of the community members and families availing

themselves of the service, and also to improve the quality of

community life.

Standard 6: Service Quality Management

Standard Statement

This standard promotes rights that ensure that the management

and staff shall be accountable to deliver quality support and care in the

most respectful and transparent manner.

Quality Indicators

1. The service provider shall ensure professional and ethical

practice that is safe and appropriate to the emerging needs of the

community members availing themselves of the service.

2. The service provider

shall

implement

transparent

recruitment and selection strategies.

3. The service provider shall plan for the continuous

development and training of its staff and the improvement in service

provision.

€0.63