Influences of Legislation

Defining Legislation in Health and Social Care

Legislation refers to laws or statutes made by governing bodies such as the UK parliament that regulate practices within health and social care settings.
In the context of health and social care, these laws are designed to safeguard individuals receiving care, protect employees, and set standards of care which must be met.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 provides a framework for ensuring the safety of all people in the workplace, including both staff and service users.
This law imposes duties on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of employees and anyone else who may be affected by their work activities.
The Act also demands employees to take reasonable care of their own and others’ health and safety in the workplace, and co-operate with their employers in meeting statutory requirements.

The Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 combines previous anti-discriminatory laws into one, ensuring consistency in what organisations need to do to make their systems and practices fair.
The act makes it illegal to discriminate against people because of a protected characteristic, which includes age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
It ensures people receive equal treatment in the workplace and wider society, and it puts a responsibility on health and social care providers to make necessary adaptations to their services to ensure all individuals can access and use them equally.

The Care Act 2014

The Care Act 2014 lays out the duties and responsibilities of local authorities and other bodies to ensure individuals’ care needs are met.
The Act focuses on wellbeing, prevention, and delaying the needs for care and support. It also includes the principle of individualising care, treating each person as an individual and considering their unique needs and circumstances.
It introduced the first statutory framework for adult safeguarding, and makes explicit that local authorities must undertake enquiries (or ensure others do so) if it believes an adult is at risk of abuse or neglect.

Importance of Legislation in Health and Social Care

These legislations are crucial in setting reports obligations, protecting the rights of individuals, establishing safe and fair workplaces, and setting a standard for care provision.
The primary objective of health and social care legislation is to ensure the highest possible standard of care is delivered to protect both service users and the workers that provide it.
They provide a clear framework for all parties involved, including care providers, employees, and service users, ensuring expectations and responsibilities are clear and also providing a basis for legal recourse if these standards are not met.

Each of the pieces of legislation plays a vital role in informing and guiding practice within the health and social care sector. Ensuring understanding and compliance with these laws is paramount to providing safe and effective care services.