EHRC Launches New Guidance To Tackle Inequality In Welsh Social Care

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has today published new guidance to empower social care commissioners in Wales to meet their legal duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and address persistent inequalities across the sector.

The guidance provides a practical framework for integrating equality and human rights considerations throughout the commissioning cycle, aligning with Standard 10 of the Welsh Government’s National Framework for commissioning care and support which requires local authorities and health boards to proactively address inequalities.

Interim Chair of the EHRC’s Wales Committee, Martyn Jones JP DL, said:
“Our evidence shows alarming patterns of inequality affecting both those who need care and those who provide it. Ethnic minority care workers face discrimination and poorer working conditions, while vulnerable groups report distressing experiences within care settings.”

“By considering equality at every stage of the commissioning cycle, we can transform lives. Our guidance gives commissioners the practical tools they need to embed equality and human rights into decisions, which will help improve outcomes for both service users and the social care workforce.”

The guidance addresses findings from the EHRC’s 2023 “Is Wales Fairer?” report and an inquiry into the treatment of lower-paid ethnic minority workers, which revealed significant inequalities in both service provision and workforce treatment.

It offers commissioners practical strategies for leveraging procurement powers to drive equality improvements through contractual requirements.

Key features of the guidance include:

• Practical advice on applying the PSED at each stage of the commissioning cycle
• Tools for embedding equality considerations in procurement processes
• Strategies to address specific inequalities, including those facing ethnic minority workers and disabled service users
• Guidance on setting SMART objectives and measuring outcomes
• Real-world examples showing how commissioners can use procurement to promote equality

The resource is built around the EHRC’s nine guiding principles for social care, which emphasise availability, accessibility, person-centred care, choice and control, community connection, effective redress, robust regulation, support for unpaid carers, and a valued workforce with fair pay and treatment.