PAPER B

Committee :    SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING & BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE      

Date :              7 AUGUST 2002

Title :              IMPLEMENTING THE CALDICOTT STANDARDS INTO SOCIAL CARE

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES & HOUSING

1.        SUMMARY/PURPOSE

This report sets out the statutory duties of the Isle of Wight Council Social Services and Housing Directorate with regard to the implementation of the Caldicott Standards, as detailed within the Department of Health Circular HSC 2002/03 LAC(2002)2.

2.        BACKGROUND

2.1      The Caldicott review of personally identifiable information, set up in 1997 following the Alder Hey enquiry, recommended that Caldicott Guardians be appointed by September 2001. Their primary role to oversee the policy implementation of the requirements and to agree, monitor and review protocol for governing access to information within their own organisation as well as cross boundaries protocols with the NHS and other agency partners.

2.2      Guardians must ensure that local protocols address the requirement of national guidance/policy on law such as:

           ●          Data Protection

           ●          Crime and Disorder Act 1998

           ●          Freedom of Information Act 2000

           ●          Human Rights Act 1998

           ●          Access to Records

2.3      The Caldicott principles provide a framework of quality standards for the management of information and confidentiality within the NHS and these standards have now been extended to all councils with social care responsibilities.

2.4      The Head of Service for Policy, Performance and Resource was appointed as the Directorate’s Guardian and for Members’ information and assistance will give a brief presentation about the requirements and Council’s responsibilities. (An information pack will be provided for Members).

3.        FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

3.1      The work undertaken to date, plus the additional work needed to meet and sustain these statutory duties, will be absorbed within existing human and financial resources.

4.        LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

4.1      Authorities are required to comply totally with these requirements and monitoring through the Annual Performance Review will take place by the Social Services Inspectorate.

5.        RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1      That the presentation and report be noted for information and comment, and that a regular position statement and review of process, as required by the guidance, be presented to Members annually, commencing April 2003.

6.        BACKGROUND PAPERS

Department of Health Circular HSC 2002/03 LAC(2002)2

Human Rights Act 1998

           Data Protection

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Access to Records

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Standards and guidelines as issued by the Department of health (Modernisation Agenda - National Services Framework, etc)

Contact Point : E D Cousins, ☎ 520600

                                                                           C WADDICOR

Strategic Director of Social Services & Housing