We provide domiciliary care at people’s homes. When a change to the care plan is required and an advocate is responsible for signing, we have difficulty in getting hold of them to sign the revised care plan within a reasonable time from the date of the review. We have been criticized by CQC for this delay, which is beyond our control. Any thoughts?
Dear Ann,
As always I am irritated that any Regulator would try to hold a provider responsible for something that you have no control over.
I assume that you do not commission or pay the advocate.
Who has commissioned the advocate to act for the service user?
Has a family friend or relative been appointed?
Whoever has commissioned the advocacy either as an organisation or as an individual will have made an agreement with the advocate and it is the commissioner that should through that agreement be asked to ensure that reasonable responsibilities placed on them such as signing the care plan should be acted on in a timely manner.
If this does not work then if the service user is placed by the Local Authority you should refer to that contract.
As always please contact me if you do not make any progress.
Best wishes.
Sheila