Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the risk of ill-treatment or neglect of vulnerable people by volunteers in the care sector.

The Government is committed to protecting those at risk of abuse and neglect. We want to see a focused and effective safeguarding system, where harm or risk of harm is identified, acted upon effectively and ultimately prevented.

Any organisation that uses volunteers must ensure that appropriate checks and assessments of risk are carried out when deciding who to employ and that appropriate supervision is provided for volunteers. Employers, including voluntary organisations may, subject to eligibility, obtain criminal records checks from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Vigilance on a day-to-day basis is crucial in order that unusual behaviour or behaviour that causes concern is picked up at the earliest opportunity.

Employers should also ensure that they provide training for staff and volunteers on the policy, procedures and professional practices that are in place locally, which reflects their roles and responsibilities in respect of adult safeguarding.