Ask Sheila
Sheila will try to answer as many of your questions as possible, giving priority to frequently asked questions and questions regarding current events and trends.
Sheila Scott OBE from National Care Association (NCA). Care is Sheila’s life; she possesses a strong command of the issues facing the care sector informed by her long career as a nursing professional, the owner and manager of a care business and as a leader in the care sector.
Sheila will try to answer as many of your questions as possible, giving priority to frequently asked questions and questions regarding current events and trends.
Please note that Sheila can not offer answers to matters requiring legal advice. If your matter concerns a specific service provider, please contact the CQC.
Latest Questions
Is there a consent form that gives authority for family to sign on behalf of the service user?
Hi Sheila, is there a consent form that gives authority for family to sign on behalf of the service user. This would be where the service user has capacity but would like a family member to deal with all care paperwork and reviews.
Dear P, Thank you for your question. As far as I am aware there is not a formal consent for this purpose. It is though perfectly acceptable for a service user to sign...
What time in the morning should night staff have to start to change pads?
Hi Sheila, what time in the morning, should night staff have to start to change pads. Our manager want us to start to change pads at 5:00am, This is in a care home for 36 service users and only 3 care assistant working. Many service users are sleeping at this time.
Dear J, Thank you for your question. It poses a number of interesting questions. Those of you who are regular readers of this column will know that I actively discourage the waking of...
A resident is being transferred from our home to another care home, what is the process regarding their personal care records from a GDPR perspective?
Hi Sheila, we have a resident being transferred from our home to another care home. The new care home is asking for some of our care records for the resident, legally how do we stand?
Dear J, Thank you for your question. I have discussed the question, which I don't think I have ever been asked before, with Philippa Shirtcliffe who is QCS's Head of Quality and...
What qualifications are required to become a responsible individual?
Hi Sheila, what qualifications do you need to be a responsible individual whilst registering a domiciliary care business.
Dear P, Thank you for your question. The Care Quality Commission says that a Nominated Individual should: Be of a good character
Be able to properly perform tasks that are intrinsic to...
Can a person go on work experience within a care home environment without a DBS but as long as they’re ‘shadowing’ a member of staff?
Hi Sheila, I have spoken to a Job Centre today whom have said that a person can go on work experience within a care home environment without a DBS but as long as they’re ‘shadowing’ a member of staff. Can you tell me if this is the case please? Surely not, especially with regards to the residents personal care / privacy / dignity?
Dear A, This is an excellent question and both the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Skills for Care have good advice on their websites. I know that many providers have real...
Is there a stated requirement on the frequency of supervision of Care staff in Care Homes?
Hi Sheila, is there a stated requirement on the frequency of supervision of Care staff in Care Homes?
Dear M, Thank you for your question. If you go to this page on the Care Quality Commission website, you will see under the heading, Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated...
How many stages are there in the test of capacity?
Hi Sheila, I keep hearing about a test which needs to be completed for Mental Capacity. Can you tell me how many stages there are in this test?
Dear S, Thank you for your question. There are two parts to the assessment of whether or not a person has the capacity to make a particular decision: Step 1. Before making the...
Why doesn’t the CQC employ qualified auditors when assessing care companies?
Hi Sheila, why doesn’t the CQC employ qualified auditors when assessing care companies. The assessments that I have seen have been so abysmally poor and unprofessional and clearly carried out by someone who is not in any way able to safeguard the members of the public that use care services.
As one example, how can carers adequately offer a good service if they are unable to speak English? Why don’t the CQC check this?
Dear T, Thank you for your question. I think it might be better directed to the Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care at the Care Quality Commission, Andrea Sutcliffe. Having said that I...
Do I need to register with CQC?
Hi Sheila, I am a self employed carer and I will be doing personal care. Do I need to register with CQC?
Dear P, Thank you for your question. There is a really useful document on the Care Quality Commission website entitled "The Scope of Registration". This is a quote from the document: "Where a person,...
What are the policies for informing next of kin when a resident has had a fall?
Hi Sheila, my 94 year old mother has had two falls since going into a care home. Each time, she has needed a district nurse to manage and dress her injuries.
On both occasions, I have not been informed. I’m not happy about being kept in the loop considering she is a fee paying client. What are the policies for informing next of kin when they fall?
Dear G, Thank you for your question. I would expect that it would be the policy of the home to inform the next of kin when an accident occurs. I believe that you...Partners with the UK's smartest companies
