A NEW scheme which rates OAP homes using criteria picked by elderly people has been unveiled by a council.

The aim is to provide an independent report on homes, allowing older people to feel more confident about the private home they go into.

Homes which achieve the new quality assurance scheme will also be paid more by the council for the residents it asks homes to look after.

It is similar to established guides published across the country for things like hotels and bed and breakfasts, using 20 of the 38 national care standards due to be enforced by the Government in 2007.

The 20 standards picked were chosen after Blackburn with Darwen Council spoke to people living in homes and asked them what they felt was most important. All standards must be met to receive Quality Assurance accreditation.

The scheme was initially piloted in two private homes and one council home and has the backing of the private care sector, a spokesman for the council said.

Areas rated include meals and mealtimes. All residents are expected to be given a choice about what food they eat and when they eat it.

Residents living at Quality Assurance homes must also have a say in their leisure activities and their daily routines and regular contact with the local community.

Coun Sue Reid, executive member for social services, said: "This partnership initiative with the Blackburn with Darwen Care Homes Group reflects our joint aspirations to provide the very best residential care for the older people of Blackburn with Darwen.

"The standards that we have concentrated on reflect the priorities of older people and are designed to enhance and improve the lives of older people who receive care in a residential setting. "

Each home is self-assessed and evidence must be presented to the council to show how they are meeting standards or plan to meet them. They must also detail how the views of residents are taken into account.

A team of social services quality assessors will carry out annual checks and will visit each home, examining evidence.