New deputy report forms to improve safeguards for at risk adults
Court appointed deputies to receive new and improved report forms for health and welfare decisions and property and financial decisions.
New deputy report form
On Tuesday 1 March 2016, the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) will introduce new and improved deputy report forms.
Property and financial decisions (OPG102) and health and welfare decisions (OPG104), will replace the existing combined form.
Deputies will now receive specific forms tailored to their deputyship order. Following user testing, the new forms are clearer with improved guidance designed to make them easier to complete.
We’re also introducing a shorter version of the OPG102, known as the OPG103. Existing property and finance deputies assessed under minimal supervision will be asked to complete the OPG103, when they report for the first time.
All other deputies, both new and old, will be asked to complete either the OPG102 or OPG104 depending on their court order.
OPG, responsible for supervising and supporting deputies, has increased safeguarding measures with a dedicated section in the property and financial decisions form.
In section 4 of property and financial decisions, deputies will be asked to detail the level of contact they have with their client, how the client’s care is funded and whether the client is receiving all their entitled benefits.
We’ve identified these key areas as early indicators that a client may be at risk of neglect or a red flag that the client is not receiving adequate support. If there are any inconsistencies, we can act quickly and investigate further.
Also, in section 5 of health and welfare decisions, deputies will need to provide information on the client’s care arrangements, and health and social activities. Again, this is to identify whether the client is receiving the appropriate level of support.
Public Guardian Alan Eccles, said:
“We have a duty of care to our deputies and their clients, and the redesign of the form addresses the needs of both groups. Deputies now have tailored report forms to suit their needs with a new look and feel, which makes for a more straightforward process.
“With additional questions and the introduction of the new safeguarding section, we can better support the deputies who need it the most, while protecting vulnerable members of society.”
As part of the new forms, professional and public authority deputies will be asked for more information about their fees and charges, using the new professional fees insert (OPG105) or the public authority deputy fees insert (OPG106).
We’ll also provide separate supporting guidance for each deputy report form, OPG102A or OPG103A for property and financial decisions and OPG104A for health and welfare decisions. They’ll be available on GOV.UK from 1 March 2016.
Property and finance deputies will have to complete an OPG102 or OPG103 each year, and health and welfare deputies will have to complete an OPG104 each year. Deputies with both orders have to complete the OPG102 or OPG103 and OPG104 each year.
From Tuesday 1 March 2016 until Thursday 1 September 2016, deputies can use either the old or new version of these forms to complete and submit a deputy report. However, after Thursday 1 September 2016, we’ll no longer accept the old version of the form.
Notes to editors
- More information about the Office of the Public Guardian including forms and details about deputyship orders can be found on GOV.UK.
- New deputy report forms and supporting guidance will be available on GOV.UK from 1 March 2016.
- For press enquires, call the Ministry of Justice press office on 020 3334 3536.
- For regular updates on OPG, follow us on twitter @opggovuk