CQC social care chief revamps inspection regime

This article first appeared on the Public Finance website.

Every care home and adult social care service in England will be rated by Care Quality Commission inspectors by 2016, the new chief inspector of social care Andrea Sutcliffe said.

Making her first major announcement since her appointment in July, Sutcliffe also said the watchdog would monitor the finances of around 50 to 60 care providers that would be difficult to replace if they were to go out of business. This will begin from April 2015, she added.

Sutcliffe's plans and priorities were published in A fresh start for the regulation and inspection of adult social care document. As well as quality ratings and financial monitoring, she pledged to bring in a tougher stance on care service registration, ensuring that people who run services have the right values, motives, abilities and experience.

People who have personal experience of receiving social care will also be included in inspection teams, Sutcliffe said.

'For every care service we look at, I want us to ask, is this good enough for my mum? If it is, this should be celebrated. If not, then as the regulator, we will do something about it.

'Adult social care is the largest and fastest growing sector that the CQC regulates and so it is imperative that we get it right.'

Inspections of adult social care services will be structured around five key areas: whether services are safe, caring, effective, well-led and responsive to people's needs.

Ratings of 'outstanding', 'good', 'requires improvement' or 'inadequate' will be given to services so that the public has clear information.

The CQC is also considering whether 'mystery shoppers' and hidden cameras could be an effective means of monitoring care and fostering high standards.

Responding to Sutcliffe's plans, care minister Norman Lamb said: 'We have made it clear that there must be a sharper focus on taking tougher action when things go wrong and holding those responsible to account.

'Confidence in the regulation regime has been shaken, but we have turned a corner. I welcome the chief inspector's new commitment to protecting people vulnerable to abuse and neglect, and to delivering better care.'