CQC Undertake Themed Inspections

Monday, 26th March 2012

Starting in April 2012 the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are going to be embarking on themed inspections across the domiciliary care sector. All 250 inspections are expected to take place over a three month period across the UK with participants chosen by random.

The idea of a themed inspection is that although the basic methods of assessing compliance are the same they will be applied differently so that the focus of the visit is around a particular subject. The chosen themes are linked to the essential key standards of quality and safety and ask the following questions about people who receive care in their own homes:

• Are they treated with dignity and respect?

• Do they have a choice about the care and support they receive?

• Do they benefit from effective safeguarding protocols?

• Are they supported by staff who are skilled to undertake a good standard of care and support?

These inspections will follow the same methodology as regular inspections and will involve a site visit by an inspector who will gather views from a number of people within the organisation who use the service including the clients, client’s families the staff etc. They will also look at records, policies, procedures etc pertaining to the theme in question. The CQC are going to make use of ‘experts by experience’ and ‘professional experts’ to ensure these inspections are as thorough as possible.

The findings are expected to be published later this year.