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
If the bed provided by the service isn’t suitable for a Resident, can an alternative be purchased?
Can a care home ask a resident or their relative to buy a new bed because the one supplied by the home is not wide enough?
Dear D
Thank you for your question. Your email doesn’t say if it’s the resident that wants a wider bed or it is because there is a clinical need. Although it isn't...
Can family members install a hidden camera?
A family member put a hidden camera in a service users bedroom without informing the carers or the company. Is this allowed?
Dear D
Thank you for your email. The law here is complex.Before I address the issue of the camera being allowed, it may be helpful for you to find out first...
What insurance is required as a Registered Manager?
I am a registered nurse with indemnity insurance with the RCN. I have recently become a registered CQC manager for a Domiciliary Care business. I am concerned that my insurance is not adequate for the risk associated with this role. What insurance should I have?
Thank you for your email. In terms of your RCN Indemnity Insurance, unfortunately, it does not cover nurses who have an employment contract. I discussed your question with Howdens The QCS Insurance...
Will a new branch affect our overall rating?
We are opening another branch under a different local authority with an additional Registered Manager. Will the inspection report encompass both arms of the business or would we get separate reports for each? Will the new branch affect our overall rating?
Dear J
Thank you for your question. If you are opening a new branch, in a different location with a different Registered Manager, you will need to go through the application...
Is this a notifiable incident?
A resident in a care home has a spontaneous fracture resulting in surgery. As it was not the result of a fall or incident, is it a notifiable incident?
Dear S
Thank you for your question. Although this was a spontaneous fracture and not as a result of a fall or incident its important you notify CQC via your provider...
How do I attract and retain good carers?
How do I attract and retain good carers?
Dear S
Attracting and retaining good carers is essential to delivering high-quality care and support and given that there are approximately 440,000 care workers leave their job every year and there...
Can you refuse to see a client?
If a client spoke to you inappropriately and because of this you are not comfortable going back in, can you refuse to go in?
Hi C,
thank you for your email. I understand that you must have felt vulnerable when you are on your own in this situation is someone’s house. I would suggest before...
Who determines when a care home can come out of lockdown?
Does it depend on each care home when and how they come out of lockdown?
Thank you for your question. I know this is such a challenging area for care homes. There is no guidance from the Government on this at the moment although it...
What kind of insurance do I need as a Domiciliary Care Worker?
I do domiciliary care work but I do not take any clients shopping currently. Do I need business insurance or am I covered by my employer?
Dear M, Thank you for your question. If you are working for a provider who is regulated by CQC, Care Inspectorate in Wales OR Care Inspectorate Scotland, your employer will...
Can an activity person cut hair?
I work in a nursing home. Can an activity person cut a resident’s hair? We used to have a qualified hairdresser do this
Thank you for your question. COVID-19 has resulted in many challenges and the inability to get a haircut is an issue that many people are facing. As to whether an...Partners with the UK's smartest companies
