CQC Key lines of enquiry, prompts and ratings

The Fundamental Standards

A brief guide to Providing Safe and High-Quality Care in the Adult Social Care Sector

Here are some further steps that independent adult social care providers can take to meet each of the fundamental standards:

Safety:

To meet the safety standard, care providers should:

• Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent accidents and injuries
• Implement effective safeguards to protect people from abuse and neglect
• Ensure that the physical environment is safe and clean
• Ensure that equipment is safe and well-maintained
• Provide training to staff on how to identify and report incidents and near misses
• Keep accurate and up-to-date records of care and support provided

Effectiveness:

To meet the effectiveness standard, care providers should:

• Base care and support on best practice and evidence
• Ensure that care and support is tailored to meet the individual needs and preferences of the people they support
• Regularly review and assess the care and support provided, and make changes as needed
• Ensure that people have access to appropriate treatment and support when needed
• Provide training and support to staff to help them deliver high-quality care

Caring:

To meet the caring standard, care providers should:

• Treat people with dignity and respect
• Promote the well-being and autonomy of the people they support
• Be responsive to the needs and preferences of the people they support
• Encourage people to be involved in the planning and review of their care and support
• Provide care that is sensitive to cultural and diversity needs

Responsiveness:

To meet the responsiveness standard, care providers should:

• Be responsive to the needs and preferences of the people they support
• Be willing to make changes to care and support plans when needed
• Encourage people to be involved in the planning and review of their care and support
• Respond promptly to requests and complaints from the people they support
• Provide information and advice to people about their care and support options

Leadership:

To meet the leadership standard, care providers should:

• Have a clear vision and strategy for care
• Ensure that care is well-led and well-managed
• Provide strong leadership and management at all levels of the organization
• Ensure that staff are competent, well-trained, and supported to deliver high-quality care
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and learning
• Ensure that the organization is financially viable and sustainable

These steps can help independent adult social care providers to meet the fundamental standards and ensure that care is safe, effective, compassionate, and of high quality.

CQC Guidance: Key lines of enquiry, prompts and ratings characteristis for adult social care services