Strategies to Deliver Outstanding Care

Strategies to Deliver Outstanding Care: 21 Tips for Adult Social Care Providers

To obtain an Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), an independent adult social care provider will need to demonstrate that it is consistently meeting the fundamental standards of care and going above and beyond in meeting the needs of the people it supports.

Here are some ways that an independent adult social care provider can evidence that it has met the standards listed in the previous message during an inspection:

Safety:

1. Keep accurate and up-to-date records of care and support provided, including any incidents or near misses
2. Provide training to staff on how to identify and report incidents and near misses, and ensure that they understand their responsibilities in relation to safety
3. Implement effective safeguards to protect people from abuse and neglect, such as robust recruitment and vetting processes and clear policies and procedures
4. Ensure that the physical environment is safe and clean and that equipment is well-maintained

Effectiveness:

5. Keep up-to-date with best practice and evidence in the adult social care sector, and ensure that care and support is based on this
6. Regularly review and assess the care and support provided, and make changes as needed to ensure that it meets the needs and preferences of the people it supports
7. Provide training and support to staff to help them deliver high-quality care
8. Ensure that people have access to appropriate treatment and support when needed, and work with other professionals and organizations as needed to coordinate care

Caring:

9. Treat people with dignity and respect, and promote their well-being and autonomy
10. Encourage people to be involved in the planning and review of their care and support, and listen to their feedback and suggestions
11. Provide care that is sensitive to cultural and diversity needs, and ensure that staff are aware of and respectful of these needs
12. Foster a culture of compassion and kindness within the organization, and ensure that staff are trained in person-centered care and communication

Responsiveness:

13. Be responsive to the needs and preferences of the people it supports, and be willing to make changes to care and support plans when needed
14. Encourage people to be involved in the planning and review of their care and support, and listen to their feedback and suggestions
15. Respond promptly to requests and complaints from the people it supports, and have clear processes in place for handling these
16. Provide information and advice to people about their care and support options, and ensure that they have the support they need to make informed choices

Leadership:

17. Have a clear vision and strategy for care, and ensure that this is communicated to staff and the people it supports
18. Ensure that care is well-led and well-managed, with strong leadership and management at all levels of the organization
19. Provide training and support to staff to help them develop their skills and knowledge, and ensure that they have the resources they need to deliver high-quality care
20. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and learning within the organization, and encourage staff to share ideas and innovations
21. Ensure that the organization is financially viable and sustainable, with robust financial management and planning processes in place

To obtain an Outstanding rating from the CQC, an independent adult social care provider will need to demonstrate that it is consistently meeting the fundamental standards of care and going above and beyond in meeting the needs of the people it supports.

This may involve providing clear and detailed evidence of how the care provider meets each of the key lines of enquiry, as well as demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement and a culture of excellence within the organization.