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
Are you part of CQC or do you work in partnership with CQC?
Hi Sheila,
Are you part of CQC or do you work in partnership with CQC, how does the policies and procedures get updated?
Dear Namita, Thank you for your question. I do not work for or am associated with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). I am the Care Strategist for Quality Compliance Systems (QCS). I don't...
I want to start my own support services company to support Adults with Learning Disabilities, can you please advice?
Hi Sheila,
I’m wanting to start my own support services company to support adults with a learning disabilities and I’m trying to become known in the community. E.g. with the local council to increase my chances of becoming a provider for service users but I’m finding it difficult. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Dear Elizabeth, Thank you for your question. I presume that you have undertaken some market research to decide whether or not such a service is required in your area. I also expect that ...
Does my employer have to give me a copy of care certificate by law?
Hi Sheila, does my employer have to give me a copy of care certificate by law?
Dear Lynda, The simple answer to your question is no, there is no law about this. Have you asked your employer for a copy? I cannot really think of any reason why your...
Can I do a simple home help service such as cleaning and laundry duties without registering with the CQC?
Hi Sheila, can I do a home help service such as Cleaning and laundry duties without registering with the CQC?
Dear Catherine, Registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) relating to services provided in people's own homes (Adult Social Care) relates only to the provision of personal care. If you are intending...
I am a private carer, I have three private clients that I do personal care for. Do I have to register with CQC or give them up?
Hi Sheila, I am a private carer, I have three private clients that I do personal care for. Do I have to register with CQC or give them up?
Dear Alexander, Thank you for your question. The answer to your question is to be found on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website in the document "The Scope of Registration". On page 14...
I am unhappy with my mothers bill for private home care, what can I do?
Hi Sheila, my mother was discharged from hospital with a ‘free’ care package of two visits a day from a care company. This then ended and she agreed to pay for visits to continue – we have no written agreement with the company and I am now shocked at the bill. There is a list of charges ‘hidden’ in the centre of blank pages in the log which she says she did not know was there.
My mother is competent to a degree but is very vulnerable, she is 94 and recovering from hip surgery and lives alone. Surely there should be some paperwork to support a payment of what she then asked for which this would be about £1500 a month? My mother can’t afford this.
Dear Ann, Thank you for your question. Your mother should have expected to receive a signed copy of the terms and conditions of the package of care being provided, this should have...
I am looking into changing career paths and opening a small intermediate care facility, can you tell me how I can get started?
Hi Sheila,
Me and a friend, who are both registered nurses, are looking into changing career paths and opening a small intermediate care facility. We were thinking about a 4 bedded bungalow that we could care for patients who were medically fit but awaiting care packages etc. I understand that we would have to be heavily involved with the CQC but could you please give me some pointers on how to get started.
Dear Louise, Thank you for your question. I am presuming that you have already undertaken research to ascertain that such a facility is required in the area where you are intending to...
Do I need to keep daily records of the clients in a day centre and do I need to have personal files for each?
Hi Sheila,
Do I need to keep daily records of the clients in a day centre and do I need to have personal files for each?
Dear Karen, Thank you for your question. As you know day centres are not subject to regulation by the Care Quality Commission. If you are starting a new day care centre there are...
Can a support worker of adults with learning disabilities in home environment cut service users fingernails?
Hi Sheila, can a support worker of adults with learning disabilities in home environment cut service users fingernails?
Dear David, Thank you for 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 Manager...
Is the provision of activity compulsory in care homes where all the residents are disabled to some extent or another?
Hi Sheila,
Is the provision of activity compulsory in care homes where all the residents are disabled to some extent or another?
Dear Annita, Thank you for your question. Person centred care is a key part of the provision of adult social care in a care home. To be able to provide person centred care...Partners with the UK's smartest companies
