Merging agencies ‘will not compromise care services’

The Scottish Government’s plans to merge the roles of the Care Commission and the Social Work Inspectorate will not compromise work to protect users of care services, the commission has promised.

The Care Commission, which regulates almost 15,000 care services in Scotland, has unveiled a plan to ensure that the standard of care services across the country continues to improve over the next two years.

The new corporate plan outlines how the commission plans to continue to raise care standards across Scotland until 2011, and how it will involve people who use care and their families in the regulation of those services.

Jacquie Roberts, chief executive of the Care Commission, stressed that it will be “business as usual” as the Scottish Government prepares to change to what it hopes will be a more streamlined network of scrutiny bodies.

Under the government’s plans, the work of the Care Commission and the Social Work Inspection Agency will go into a new organisation by April 2011, as part of a wider scheme to improve the role of scrutiny bodies in Scotland.

The government plans include the introduction of another new body to regulate healthcare.

Roberts said: “We will soon be entering a period of great change, and we are already working with the Scottish Government and other organisations to help make a smooth transition.

“In the mean time, though, it is vital to ensure the public is aware that we will carry on with business as usual, regulating Scotland’s care services effectively and providing assurance that they are safe and well-run. These functions will continue in the new body.”

The Care Commission has established a new grading system for care homes and other services, which is intended to be more useful for service users, families and carers, Roberts added.

“Now that so many services have grades, there is better information available for people who are using or choosing a care service. Our inspection reports are becoming clearer and easier to use and providers tell us that the grades are helping them focus on where they must improve.”

She said user feedback in forums focusing on issues such as involving people and equality would help shape the commission’s ongoing work.

“Above all, our work is about improving the standards of care and helping to keep people safe and well cared for. We will continue to do that, whilst also making a strong contribution to the development of Scotland’s scrutiny landscape.”

Among the key priorities set out in its corporate plan for the next two years, the Care Commission says it will spend more time working with services which are performing badly, improve inspection reports and make information more easily accessible.

It will also look to develop more opportunities for children, young people and adults to get involved in the regulation of care services.

# The corporate plan and other Care Commission publications, as well as the grades for individual care services, can all be viewed at www.carecommission.com. See also: www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Scrutiny