Hot Topic: Regulation Of Care
Regulation of Care
In April 2011 the Care Inspectorate (formerly known as SCSWIS) became the independent regulator for social care services in Scotland, taking on functions previously carried out by the Care Commission, SWIA and the child protection functions of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education. Care Inspectorate was established as a result of the Public Service Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, which aims to simplify and improve the landscape of Scottish public bodies.
The social services workforce continues to be regulated by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
Parliamentary inquiry into the regulation of care for older people
The Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee is conducting an inquiry into the regulation of care for older people, following an earlier chamber debate on the collapse of Southern Cross, the closure of the Elsie Inglis care home and the cuts to the SCSWIS budget. Details of the committee’s business in this area can be seen at this link http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s4/committees/hs/inquiries/RegulationofCareforOlderPeople/index.htm
The committee issued a call for written evidence in June 2011 to which CCPS has submitted a written response. Subsequently, CCPS was invited to the Scottish Parliament to give oral evidence on this issue on 13 September 2011 - the written transcript can be viewed using the following link to the Parliament website, while the broadcast session can be viewed online on Holyrood TV.
CCPS Involvement
In February 2011 CCPS met with the Care Inspectorate interim Chief Executive (Jacquie Roberts) and Chair (Frank Clark) at their invitation, to discuss developments relating to the launch of Care Inspectorate (formerly known as SCSWIS) on 1 April 2011. Care Inspectorate is required to make savings of 25% over the next four years, starting with a 7.6% reducion in 2011-12, with implications for the frequency and intensity of inspections. A news bulletin outlining key appointments and decisions, and the proposed inspection arrangements for 2011-12, has been produced and is available to view online.
CCPS took the opportunity to outline the key information needs of providers as Care Inspectorate is developed, including:
- more details about the way in which reduced frequency inspections, coupled with greater reliance on self-evaluation, will affect both the gradings system itself and the currency of gradings among commissioners and the public
- how Care Inspectorate will make the connection between the quality of services on the one hand, and the quality of commissioning, assessment, review, care management and other local authority processes on the other
- how the new power of corporate inspection of providers will work in practice, and how policy in this area will be developed
- how Care Inspectorate will approach its inspection, improvement and regulatory functions in respect of personalisation, SDS and the introduction of Resource Allocation Systems.
Meanwhile the consultation on regulations for Care Inspectorate has now closed: CCPS's response can be viewed on our policy pages.