Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will introduce mandatory training on ataxia and dysphagia conditions for social care staff.

Care providers registered with the Care Quality Commission are required under Regulation 18 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 to deploy suitably qualified, competent, skilled and experienced staff.

Improving the skills and capability of those providing care is a key priority, which is why we are implementing the first universal career structure for adult social care and investing up to £10 million this financial year through the Learning and Development Support Scheme for training and qualifications. The Government has also announced that a first ever social care workforce action plan to support recruitment, retention and career development in the sector will be published in the coming months.