CQC updates approach to local authority assessments

The CQC revealed it will be introducing local authority assurance meetings to help it understand the context in which each local authority is discharging its adult social care duties, and the impact on the experiences and outcomes for people, including unpaid carers.  

Meanwhile, the CQC has updated how it uses case sampling and case tracking to gather people’s lived experiences, following feedback from local authorities about the use of language and a need for improved guidance.

The CQC said: “Understanding people’s experiences involves following the pathway of a small number of people to gather evidence by reviewing their care records and talking with them and their family, friends, family carers or advocate. We carry out this process before the site visit.  

“Sampling people’s experiences involves following parts of the pathway of a number of people to gather evidence for the assessment. It involves looking at the person’s care records alongside a member of staff from the local authority. The process does not involve talking with the person involved.”

In response to feedback from its baselining assessments, the CQC said it has improved how it communicates with a local authority during and after a site visit.

It said: “This includes clearer guidance about the purpose of keeping in touch and high-level feedback meetings, including when they will happen and who needs to attend.”

Meanwhile, the regulator has updated its guidance about checking the factual accuracy of the draft report, to include a “clearer explanation” and examples of what can and cannot be submitted.

An assessment starts when the CQC sends an information return request to a local authority, and ends when it publishes its assessment report.

Letting local authorities know what to expect ahead of starting the next phase, the CQC said: “All local authorities will have 2 weeks in which to complete the information return. We will review the information sent to us and start assessment activity, which includes case tracking, speaking to unpaid carers and gathering evidence to inform our planning for the site visits.  

“We aim to give 6 to 8 weeks’ notice before we carry out the site visit for a comprehensive assessment. This notice will tell you the name of a CQC assessment planner who will be your key contact for any queries, as well as the name of the assessment manager who will be leading that assessment.”

According to the CQC, the assessment consists of 1 week of off-site virtual activity and 1 week of on-site activity (the site visit).

It added: “We expect the assessment process to be 19 weeks, excluding publishing the assessment report.”

Lottie Winson