Agencies 'failing on carer theft'

A charity called for more custodial sentences for carers who steal Almost a quarter of care agencies fail to protect disabled and elderly people from thefts in their own homes by carers, the BBC has discovered.

The Commission for Social Care Inspection said more than 1,000 agencies do not meet the minimum standards on financial protection.

Radio Five Live found that £60,000 has been stolen from people being cared for in their own homes this year. Charity Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) said agencies must take responsibility.

The Five Live investigation found that cases in 2007 alone ranged from money being stolen from purses and wallets, to carers going on spending sprees with their clients' credit cards.

Government standards to which agencies must commit include having appropriate policies for the handling of clients' money - shopping, collecting pensions and so on - as well as preventing carers from accepting gifts or using loyalty cards to gain points.

AEA added that more custodial sentences should be imposed on carers who steal from their patients.