THE Government is to create `dignity guardians' to help it toughen the regulation of social care.

They will include representatives from the Help the Aged, Action on Elder Abuse charities and consumer watchdog Which? .

The move is among measures designed to improve standards of care and tackle abuse of the elderly.

The group will contribute to national consultations over changes to the National Minimum Standards in care homes.

These will include the registration of care workers and a new vetting and barring scheme aimed at ensuring abusers can't work with vulnerable adults.

There are also plans to give the Commission for Social Care Inspection new freedoms to increase spot checks on the worst care homes.

A Government spokes man said: "Too often older people are not treated with the dignity they deserve. We need to tackle poor services."

A Help the Aged spokeswoman said: "This is a significant and welcome shift in culture within social care. It is vital that its regulation reflects older people as consumers of care."