A new blog by Anthony Collins Solicitors refers to a Coroner’s case involving the death of a care home resident, where the level of spoken English by care workers contributed to the outcome.
It explains that, although the Home Office will not be updating the English language requirements for visas for overseas workers, providers must still assess risk and be satisfied that a care worker’s English proficiency is sufficient to ensure safe and effective care.
For example, frontline care staff must all be able to call 999 and convey key information in English about the person who requires an ambulance.
Anthony Collins comment that if a provider is not satisfied that the care worker’s English proficiency is sufficient to ensure safe and effective care, then the worker should not be permitted to work unsupervised in a frontline or care delivery role.
The blog also addresses practical steps providers can take, and the discrimination issues they need to consider.
