When it comes to terminology around the CQC its easy to get confused. When you hear people say the CQC standards, they could be referring to many things. They might be talking about inspection ratings or other things that actually go by other names.
Residential Care Social Care Homecare Posted 08/07/2022Both of these sets of standards are linked but used in different ways, get the details you need below:
When CQC inspectors evaluate any care service they are guided by 5 areas: The CQC 5 Standards. People refer to these areas collectively by different names, you might sometimes hear the CQC 5 Domains. Different terminology, same application in practice.
The CQC 5 Standards are: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-Led (more detail to follow below).
Each of the CQC Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE) sits within one of the CQC 5 Standards. The KLOEs are like the constituent parts, the building blocks that make up each of the 5 Standards. The KLOEs are used exactly like they sound, the inspector uses them like any other inspector, as the line of enquiry (or question) to test a care service.
For example, when a CQC inspector wants to see if a service is ‘Safe’ (Safe is one of the CQC 5 Standards), they will select one of the KLOEs under ‘Safe’ and use this as the criteria to test the service against.
Let’s first cover what the 5 Standards are in a bit more detail.
To reiterate, it's important not to confuse the CQC's 5 Standards with the CQC Fundamental Standards. It's confusing terminology I agree! Especially as the 5 Standards were drawn out of the CQC Fundamental Standards.
Let’s clear things up. The CQC Fundamental Standards are the minimum requirements a care provider needs to meet. The Fundamental Standards are enshrined in law as part of The Health and Social Care Act 2008. Read the CQC's summary of the Fundamental Standards.
Out of the Fundamental Standards the CQC created their 5 Standards:
(In no particular order)
The CQC 5 Standards discussed above were made out of the CQC Fundamental Standards which came earlier.
The CQC Fundamental Standards are the minimum requirements a care provider needs to meet when providing care in England. The CQC Fundamental Standards were enshrined in law as part of The Health and Social Care Act in 2008, the main legislation that covers health and care provision in England.
As the CQC says, the CQC Fundamental Standards are those standards “below which care must never fall”, so more the minimum than an aspiration.
Everyone’s care or treatment should be tailored to them, meeting their needs and preferences. People should be empowered and involved in designing and determining their health and care. Read more about how to provide person centred care.
People receiving care must be always treated with dignity and respect. Including:
Anybody receiving care (or those legally acting on their behalf) must give consent before any care or treatment is given. Ensure consent is recorded, sought, and re-sought whenever necessary.
People must not be given unsafe care or treatment. They must not be put at risk of avoidable harm. Providers of care must assess risks (using regular risk assessments) and ensure staff have been appropriately screened, have the right training, qualifications, experience and behaviours to keep the people they care for safe.
People using care services must not suffer any form of abuse or improper treatment while receiving care.
People must be given enough to eat and drink in order to maintain good health whenever they are receiving care.
Places where care is delivered and equipment used in care mist be kept clean, suitable, safe and secure. All equipment must be used properly.
People must be able to complain about care services. Providers of care must have a system in place so they can properly record, handle and respond to complaints.
Complaints must be investigated thoroughly and corrective action must be taken where necessary.
Care providers must have plans and effective governance systems in place to ensure they meet the CQC’s Fundamental Standards (listed here), improve the service and reduce any risks to people (including staff) health, safety and welfare.
Care providers must have adequate numbers of staff, that are competent, qualified and experienced enough to deliver care to the level of the CQC Fundamental Standards (those listed here). Staff must have the necessary training, support and supervision to do their job properly.
Providers of care must screen candidates for criminal records, DBS and work history. They must have strong recruitment and monitoring procedures in place.
Care providers must be open and transparent with the people they support and regulators of standards in health and social care (i.e. the CQC) If something goes wrong, they should inform the person being cared for and where relevant the regulator and other stakeholders.
Providers of care must display the care service’s CQC rating in a place where people receiving care can see it. They must also include this information on their website and make their latest inspection report available too.