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GO Online: Inspection toolkit

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Assessing needs

The CQC inspection focus will look at how you assess and review the needs of the people you support. From the initial assessment to how you monitor and adapt support, the CQC will be looking for evidence about how you maximise the effectiveness of the care you provide.

The following film provides a summary of this area of inspection. It can help you and your teams learn about what will be inspected and what is important to demonstrate to deliver good or outstanding care.

Introducing Assessing needs

Duration 01 min 42 sec

The CQC inspection will look at how you assess and review the needs of the people you support. This is an on-going process, and it is important to have robust systems in place to review and adapt people’s changing needs.

From assessing the needs of your latest client to reviewing the need of the person you have supported the longest, your processes must be effective and adaptable.

The CQC will be interested in the processes you have adopted to maximise the effectiveness of people’s care and treatment. This includes responding to their health, wellbeing, and communication needs.

Ensuring the processes you use are person-centred and shaped around the needs of the person is essential. Evidence of how you involve people and their family members in needs assessments and reviews is important, as is demonstrating consent.

Of course, undertaking an effective needs assessment and regular reviews requires good training and staff support. The CQC will want to know the systems you have in place to develop such skills and the checks that are in place to maintain high standards.

As part of the inspection, the CQC will speak to managers, your staff team, the people you support and potentially others such as family members and health professionals. They’ll also look at assessment records, policies and procedures and your compliance with Mental Capacity and Equality Act legislation.

To learn more about how you can meet this area of CQC inspection, take a look at GO Online.

Watch the film here: https://vimeo.com/788202479

CQC focus

Inspection

What is the CQC Quality Statement?

We maximise the effectiveness of people’s care and treatment by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.

What sub-topics might the CQC look at when inspecting this?

  • Assessing people’s needs (including accessibility and communication needs)
  • Person-centred approach
  • Carer assessments/support
  • Care planning
  • Clinical assessment tool

How does this part of the inspection relate to CQC Regulations and guidance?

How will the CQC gather evidence?

The CQC will primarily gather evidence by:

  • People's Experience
  • Feedback from staff and leaders
  • Processes

Read more about this Quality Statement

  • The CQC have published further insight into what this Quality Statement means, including the I Statements and which legislation it relates to on their website here.