Governance

Respite-Care.co.uk is an independent directory service and does not provide care services, regulate providers, inspect services or guarantee the quality of care delivered by listed organisations.

Where concerns are raised regarding a listed provider, Respite-Care.co.uk may suspend or remove listings while information is reviewed.

Complaints regarding care delivery should normally be raised directly with the provider, their regulator, commissioning authority or relevant safeguarding body.

Reviews represent individual experiences and are not independently verified unless stated.

Respite-Care.co.uk recognises that many individuals searching our directory may be vulnerable. We expect all listed providers to maintain appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures

Provider Code of Conduct

Respite-Care.co.uk

1. Introduction

Respite-Care.co.uk ("we", "us", "our") is an independent online directory service that helps individuals, families and professionals identify and connect with care providers and care-related services.

Respite-Care.co.uk does not provide care services, does not employ care workers, does not supervise care delivery and does not act as a regulator or inspection body.

This Provider Code of Conduct sets out the standards expected of organisations and individuals who advertise, promote or maintain a listing on Respite-Care.co.uk ("Providers").

By registering with or maintaining a listing on Respite-Care.co.uk, Providers agree to comply with this Code of Conduct.


2. Provider Responsibility

Providers acknowledge and agree that they are solely responsible for:

The care services they provide

The safety and wellbeing of people receiving care

Compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and professional standards

The accuracy of information supplied to Respite-Care.co.uk

The conduct, competence and suitability of their employees, contractors and representatives

Respite-Care.co.uk does not accept responsibility for the delivery, quality, safety or legality of services provided by listed organisations.


3. Regulatory Compliance

Providers must:

Maintain all required registrations, licences, permissions and approvals relevant to their services

Comply with applicable regulatory requirements, including where relevant those of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or equivalent regulatory bodies

Notify Respite-Care.co.uk promptly of any significant regulatory action, restrictions, suspension, cancellation or enforcement activity affecting their service

Provide accurate regulatory information within their directory listing

Providers must not advertise services that they are not legally authorised or competent to deliver.


4. Safeguarding Commitment

Providers must maintain effective safeguarding arrangements to protect adults, children and vulnerable people who use their services.

Providers must:

Have appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures

Ensure staff receive appropriate safeguarding training

Follow safer recruitment practices

Complete appropriate employment checks, including DBS checks where required

Report safeguarding concerns to the appropriate authorities

Cooperate with safeguarding investigations

Any safeguarding concern relating to a Provider may result in Respite-Care.co.uk reviewing, suspending or removing the Provider’s listing.


5. Accuracy of Information

Providers are responsible for ensuring all information displayed on Respite-Care.co.uk is:

Accurate

Current

Not misleading

Representative of the services actually available

Providers must promptly update information relating to:

Contact details

Services offered

Availability

Registration status

Locations served

Fees or pricing information

Regulatory information

Providing inaccurate or misleading information may result in removal from the directory.


6. Quality of Care and Professional Standards

Providers must operate in a way that promotes:

Respect

Dignity

Choice

Independence

Equality

Person-centred support

Providers must not engage in:

Discriminatory practices

Unsafe care practices

Misleading advertising

Exploitative behaviour

Practices that may place individuals at risk


7. Staff and Workforce Responsibilities

Providers are responsible for ensuring their workforce is:

Suitably qualified and trained

Appropriately supervised

Legally entitled to work

Suitably vetted where required

Managed in accordance with employment legislation

Respite-Care.co.uk does not verify, employ, manage or supervise Provider staff.


8. Reviews and Feedback

Providers agree to engage professionally with feedback from users.

Providers must not:

Submit false reviews

Manipulate ratings

Pressure individuals to provide positive feedback

Harass or intimidate reviewers

Providers may request a review investigation where they believe feedback breaches our Review Policy.

Respite-Care.co.uk reserves the right to moderate, remove or restrict reviews where appropriate.


9. Complaints and Concerns

Providers must maintain their own complaints process and respond appropriately to concerns raised by people using their services.

Providers acknowledge that:

Complaints about care delivery should normally be addressed directly with the Provider

Respite-Care.co.uk is not responsible for investigating complaints relating to the provision of care

Respite-Care.co.uk may request information from Providers where concerns relate to the accuracy, safety or suitability of a directory listing


10. Advertising and Promotional Standards

Providers must ensure all promotional content:

Is truthful and accurate

Does not make unsupported claims

Does not suggest endorsement by Respite-Care.co.uk unless explicitly agreed

Does not falsely claim to be "approved", "recommended" or "regulated" by Respite-Care.co.uk

Paid or sponsored listings must not mislead users about provider quality or ranking.


11. Conflicts of Interest and Transparency

Providers must disclose relevant information that may affect users’ decisions, including:

Ownership relationships

Referral arrangements

Financial incentives

Sponsored placements

Respite-Care.co.uk will aim to maintain transparency regarding commercial relationships.


12. Data Protection Responsibilities

Providers remain responsible for ensuring that any personal information they collect through enquiries or referrals is handled lawfully.

Providers must comply with:

UK GDPR

Data Protection Act 2018

Applicable confidentiality requirements

Respite-Care.co.uk must not be provided with unnecessary sensitive personal information.


13. Right to Review, Suspend or Remove Listings

Respite-Care.co.uk reserves the right to:

Review Provider listings

Request evidence or clarification

Amend inaccurate information

Suspend listings

Remove listings

Actions may be taken where:

Information appears inaccurate

A Provider breaches this Code

A Provider creates reputational risk

Safety or safeguarding concerns are raised

Regulatory concerns arise

Respite-Care.co.uk is not required to maintain a listing where concerns cannot be satisfactorily resolved.


14. Provider Acceptance

By creating or maintaining a Provider listing on Respite-Care.co.uk, Providers confirm that:

They have read and understood this Code of Conduct

The information supplied is accurate

They accept responsibility for their own services and compliance

They agree to operate professionally and transparently


Contact

For questions regarding this Provider Code of Conduct, please contact:

Respite-Care.co.uk
hello@respite-care.co.uk


© Respite-Care.co.uk