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
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...
Can I open a rest home of my own without QCS involved?
Hi Sheila, can I open a rest home of my own without QCS involved?
Dear Jackie, I have made the assumption that you wanted to ask about CQC registration rather than QCS the company, however have answered for both. In relation to CQC, the answer is...
Can you still display photos of past residents after they have either left the care home or passed away?
Hi Sheila, can you still display photos of past residents after they have either left the care home or passed away?
Dear Sharon, Thank you for your question. You do require the consent of the person or a family member to display their photograph. Often people will be asked for their consent to display...
I am a registered nurse working in a hospital, if I apply to be a registered manager in a care home, do I need a level 5 management course?
Hi Sheila,
I am a registered nurse working in a hospital, if I apply to be a registered manager in a care home, do I need to do a Level 5 management course?
Hi Kate, Thank you for your question. Neil Crawford says “It is not compulsory but CQC inspectors will normally ask for it or the details of an equivalent if not the stipulated...
Is the Level 2 qualification & Credit Framework qualification earned in England different to one in Wales?
Hi Sheila, Is the Level 2 qualification & Credit Framework qualification earned in England different to one in Wales?
Hi Lucy, Neil Crawford says: “Yes. However, much of it can be cross referenced over as RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) but not all". Hope this helps. Sheila
I have been asked by my manager to complete the care certificate due to being new in the social care role as part of training for the role. Is this acceptable?
Hi Sheila, I am a newly appointed social care assessor who has been working in health for nearly 20 years as a health rehabilitation support worker and more recently a senior occupational therapy technician. I have an NVQ 2 and two NVQ 3s, 1 in care and 1 in AHP.
I have been asked by my manager to complete the care certificate due to being new in the social care role as part of training for the role. Is this acceptable?
Hi Georgina, Yes, it is acceptable. The Care Certificate is an agreed set of 15 standards that define the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of specific job roles in the health...Is the National Vocational Qualification higher than the Level 2 Qualification & Credit Framework?
Hi Sheila, I have done my diploma level 2 Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) in 2017. Everyone is saying National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) is a lot higher than the QCF. Is this right?
Hi Sue, Neil says: “No, it is not true. QCF level 2 is the replacement for level 2 NVQ. Same award new name! Most assessment criteria remained unchanged.” Hope this helps! Best Wishes Sheila Partners with the UK's smartest companies
