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
How do I report my concerns about the quality of the carers?
Hi Sheila, how do I report my concerns about the quality of the carers attending my father?
Dear S, Thank you for your question. You should have received a complaints policy from the home when your father was admitted. It will normally tell you that in the first instance you...
How far in advance should my manager need to give me my rota?
Hi Sheila, how far in advance should my employer need to give me my rotas when working in a care home?
Dear A, Thank you for your question. This is the advice that Chris King, our Employment Law expert at Napthens Solicitors gave us some time ago: "An employer should give an employee who...
What qualifications do I need to start up my own care agency?
Hi Sheila, I want to start my own care agency, what qualifications do I need to start?
Dear A, Thank you for your question. I presume that you intend to manage the business as well as own it. My first question would be what qualifications do you already have? There will...
Can you refuse to go to a client if they are physically violent and what are the steps to take?
Hi Sheila, can you refuse to go to a client if they are physically violent? And can you leave the premises?
Dear M, Thank you for your question. It is of course a difficult question to answer. This is something that you must discuss with the Registered Manager of your service. The service has an...
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...
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...Partners with the UK's smartest companies
