In July 2015, we introduced a set of standards for professional and public authority deputies.
The standards were created in partnership with Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, the Care Quality Commission, the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales and the Court of Protection. They aim to make things easier and clearer for deputies to manage their clients’ affairs.
The guidance contains an important checklist of actions and behaviours that every deputy should follow based on five standards:
- Secure the client’s finance and assets
- Gain insight of the client to make decisions in their best interests
- Maintain effective internal office processes and organisation
- Have the skills and knowledge to carry out duties as deputy
- Health and welfare standards
Many deputies have already told us how valuable the standards have been because it provides an assurance that they’re performing well against them.
We’ve also had some good, positive feedback on the standards from assurance visits, where we supervise the caseloads of professional and public authority deputies. On an assurance visit, a Court of Protection visitor will go and see a selection of clients on a deputy’s caseload, and conclude by arranging to see the deputy and their case files. Deputies have told us that the new standards are providing a constructive backdrop for those discussions, which they’re finding helpful.
Are you a deputy? Have you found the standards useful? If so, please tell us what you think by leaving a comment below.
You can read more about the deputy standards on GOV.UK
3 comments
Comment by Samantha Hamilton posted on
The guidance not only gives a framework of how to manage finances; it is also a reassuring confirmation that what had been done in the past was the right way to deal with finances as a deputy.
Comment by Ms M J Payne posted on
i really need help to become a lasting power of attorney for a prisoner in wormwood scrubs gary hart. he cant always make decisions about his house morgage or other finances so he asked me on a visit to help him so i am asking as another pensioner if any one can help me to do this.
Comment by carolineamos posted on
Thanks for your message. You can create a lasting power of attorney online here https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney/overview or if you'd like to speak to someone please call us on 0300 456 0300.