Ask Sheila 
Sheila will try to answer as many of your English Social Care 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
Can I employ a 16 year old to work in my care setting who wants to gain experience in the Care Sector?
Hi Sheila,
I employ 12 people who work always on a 2:1 ratio with my disabled son. I have been approached by a staff member who has a 16 year old daughter who wants to gain experience in care work. As she would always be supervised and after training would she be able to assist with bathing and pad changes? This all happens within my adapted home, not a care home setting.
Dear Nigel, Thank you for your question. As you know you do not have to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) because as is set out in the CQC document,...
What does it mean by “The different needs your service meets” in the ‘Statement of Purpose’ document?
Hi Sheila,
We are working on our “Statement of Purpose” and we are applying for a Domiciliary Service. May I ask what does it mean by “The different needs your service meets”?
Dear Elyn, Thank you for your question. Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009, Schedule 3 point 2 says that the service provider must include in the Statement of Purpose: The kinds of services...
How can I check if a single-owner personal care service is CQC registered?
Hi Sheila, how can I check if a single-owner personal care service is CQC registered?
Dear Terry, Thank you for your question. The legal situation with regard to registration is relatively complex. You will find all registered services on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website. If you go to https://cqc.org.uk/...
I would like to open a domestic services agency which provides help to elderly people with cleaning, shopping, household chores & taking them to the appointments. What are the legal requirements
Hi Sheila, I would like to open a domestic services agency which provides help to elderly people with cleaning, shopping, household chores and taking them to the appointments. What are the legal requirements? Can you provide me some information?
Dear Lucky, Thank you for your question. I can only respond to your question with regards to health and social care. The Care Quality Commission regulates the following services as listed in Schedule...
Does helping someone put on a coat and get into a taxi mean I am delivering ‘personal care’?
Hi Sheila, could you confirm that helping an older person to put on an outer coat and helping them by the arm to get to a taxi would not be described as personal care. Having seen a previous answer of yours, these simple actions do not appear to be intimate.
Hi Dave, Thank you for your question. This is my opinion. Helping someone put on an overcoat or assisting them to get into a taxi is not personal care. This is the Department...
Can I be placed on the barring list for a medication error and mistake in weighing people?
Hi Sheila, can I be placed on the barring list for a medication error and mistake in weighing people?
Hi Tammy, Thank you for your question. There are some mandatory offences where people are automatically placed on the barred list but the two areas that you raise: A medication error
Mistake...
Can a carer in a registered care home cut fingernails for a diabetic patient with learning disabilities and autism?
Hi Sheila, can a carer in a registered care home cut fingernails for a diabetic patient with learning disabilities and autism. The chiropodist will only cut the toenails. Who is allowed to cut the fingernails?
Hi Julie, Thank you for your question which I know is one which concerns many care workers. I think that the answer though is straightforward. There are two parts to it. First the Registered...
Why do CQC inform homes in advance that they are visiting?
Hi Sheila, why do CQC inform homes in advance that they are visiting?
Many do not want to be caught out so run around to get things in hand to cover things up from the truth then after the inspection everything goes back to how it was under staffing, poor care practices etc staff are too afraid to speak up incase they lose their job. CQC should do unannounced visits for a true picture shouldn’t they if they want to safeguard people?
Hi Cath, Thank you for your question and it’s a common misconception that Staff in homes have time to prepare for an announced inspection. CQC have a legal right to enter the...
I am the Registered Manager of a Care Home and one of my carers has asked me about registering to stay in the UK after Brexit?
Hi Sheila, I am the Registered Manager of a care home and one of my carers has asked me about registering to stay in the UK after Brexit. Can you give me any advice please?
Dear Jennifer, You have written at a key moment and it is very important that any workers who wish to stay in the UK after Brexit should register as soon as...
A colleague has asked me if I have got a plan for if there is a no deal Brexit, can you please advise?
Dear Sheila,
A colleague has asked me if I have got a plan for if there is a no deal Brexit. I don’t know what she is talking about. Can you help please?
Dear Emily, You should all have received a letter from CQC last Wednesday, 14 August about Brexit and the steps that you need to be considering to take for your service...Partners with the UK's smartest companies
