Who Inspects Care Homes?

Posted on 28th May 2021


If you or a loved one is in a care home, it is always incredibly important to be sure they or you are receiving the care that they need. We’ll be discussing who inspects care homes and how care home inspections operate, so that you can rest assured in the knowledge that the care homes you are considering provide the best level of care for their residents. 

 

The Care Quality Commission (known as CQC) regulates all health and social care services in England. All care homes have to be registered with CQC in order to opportate. The commission ensures that the quality and safety of the care given in facilities is up to a high standard. 

 

How are care homes regulated?

 

The CQC undertakes regular inspections of care homes, that is at least one inspection every two years. Not only does the CQC review the care homes, but they also speak to and consider the feedback and concerns from residents and their loved ones. This ensures that all reviews are fair. 

 

How does a care home inspection work?

 

At the beginning of the care home inspection, an inspector will meet with the manager of the care home to explain what will be happening during the inspection. The inspector will then use information provided by their own research to structure their care home visit, and focus on key areas of concern. For every care home the inspection will be carried out differently. 

 

What standards are expected to be met?

 

There are a number of standards which should be met by care homes in England, all of which put the care of residents first. Here are just some of the requirements which are expected of care homes:

 
  • Only qualified staff can work in care homes

  • Staff must tell residents what is happening to them during every stage of care

  • Residents must be involved in decisions regarding their care

  • Care providers must always check the quality of their services

 

You can find a full list of which standards should be met on the CQC website

 

What happens if standards are not met?

 

If there are certain issues, or standards are not being properly met, action will need to be taken. This all of course depends on the severity of the issues, however the CQC will provide the care home with a detailed action plan for moving forward. The standards will then need to be met by a certain date.

 

If the standards are not met in time, care homes can be faced with warnings, fines or restrictions. If there was a major or emergency issue, the CQC can demand a home is closed. The CQC can even remove a care home from the register if they feel it is necessary to do so. 

 

What can you do if you are concerned about the care?

 

If you are not confident that the care at a care home is not up to standard, it is recommended to speak to the manager or the care home in question. If you feel that your complaint has not been dealt with effectively, you should seek further action by speaking to the local council. Unfortunately the CQC does not deal with individual complaints, however you can raise any issues when feedback is required in an inspection. 

 

If you have any further questions about who inspects care homes and how the process works, please get in touch with a member of the team today. 

 

Are you interested in getting someone you love into a care home? Learn all about how the process works in our blog


 
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