New excellence award consultation begins

We have today started consulting on plans for a new excellence award scheme for adult social care services in England.

The award, which will launch in April 2012, will recognise those services providing the best care and will be delivered by third party organisations registered by us.

We have been working with representatives of the sector, including the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and people who use services, to develop plans for the scheme.

Our consultation asks for feedback on the definition of excellence developed by SCIE and a range of aspects of how the scheme should work.