Regulating Social Care

Wednesday, 19th October 2005

The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) was launched in April 2004 and is the single, independent inspectorate for all social care services in England. Working alongside other inspectorates to ensure that there is a co-ordinated approach, they regulate services for both adults and children.

Inspection - is the main way in which the CSCI verifies the quality of the service being provided. It is also the main tool that they use to raise standards in social care services. The CSCI is committed to ensuring that people who use social care services are receiving good quality care at all times. They also ensure that the care provider is complying with all the relevant legislative requirements and are meeting the National Minimum Standards as set by the government.

Registration - is the process through which the CSCI verifies whether those who wish to provide services are suitable to do so. They are able to achieve this by assessing whether the service is being operated safely and whether the relevant legislative requirements and National Minimum Standards are being met.

Informing Policy The CSCI also seeks to influence social care policy by for example, responding to significant reports/audits/consultations, and by organising seminars to inform interested parties on the outcomes. They also work alongside the government on bills/standards pertinent to the social care setting as they pass through Parliament.

Council Services The CSCI assesses all areas of the care services provided by the 150 local councils in England against a national agenda. The inspections focus on how the council delivers its social service functions and how they utilise their resources. The CSCI are then able to monitor performance of a council, advising and supporting improvements as required.

In the next newsletter we look at Regulating Social Care – Scotland. If you would like to subscribe to our quarterly newsletter, please contact us.