Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee

Recommendation 39

39 Not Addressed Paragraph: 150

NHS senior leadership accountability for reducing staff racist discrimination is insufficient

Conclusion
There should be greater accountability from NHS senior and middle management for the reduction of incidents of racist discrimination amongst staff. This should include explicit equality, diversity, and inclusion responsibilities in senior leadership job role descriptions, against which the performance of senior leaders is reviewed, and to which their pay and promotion is linked.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with these recommendations, and encourages Local Authorities to evaluate the risk of modern slavery in their adult social care supply chains.
Paragraph Reference: 150
Government Response Not Addressed
HM Government Not Addressed
We agree with these recommendations. We encourage Local Authorities to evaluate the risk of modern slavery in their adult social care supply chains and ensure that the risk of modern slavery is assessed, as per this report’s recommendation. We take any reports of unsafe and illegal employment practices in the social care sector very seriously. Any accusations of illegal practice will be fully investigated by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority. The Labour Market Enforcement bodies (Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, and HMRC’s National Minimum Wage Team) have an active programme of engagement with external partners, including those in the care sector, to help make sure workers know their rights and employers understand their obligations. This activity includes working with partners such as the Care Quality Commission, industry representative groups, unions and the Local Government Association (amongst others). This is an ongoing programme, examples of activity so far include webinars, and working directly with LA’s, alongside the development of publications to assist those working or operating within the care sector. Labour Market Enforcement bodies have an active programme of engagement with external partners including the Local Government Association and LAs.