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Targeted, high quality inspections inline with CQC’s Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE) and inspection methodology
Announced or unannounced mock CQC audits carried out using the same KLOE principles used by the care quality commission
Mock CQC inspections can be arranged to suit any regulated service provider with advice and guidance tailored to your service specialism
Detailed findings report, service ratings and action plans will be provided on completion of every successful mock CQC inspection
The New Single Assessment Framework is being rolled out across the country!
We can assist in preparing your service for your next inspection.
A mock Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection is a simulated evaluation designed to assess and improve the quality of care within a care setting.
The purpose of this exercise is to replicate the conditions and process of an actual CQC inspection, providing an opportunity for organisations to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement in their services.
The process involves an experienced consultant who follows a structured and comprehensive inspection framework in-line with the new CQC single assessment (2024).
This framework is based on CQC standards and criteria that cover various aspects of care, including safety, effectiveness, responsiveness, and leadership.
The inspection takes place over two days, where the consultant will be on site at the service to gather information, feedback, and evidence.
The consultant will do this by:
The consultant will use the information gathered to determine a score based on the CQC Evidence Categories to determine the appropriate rating for the service.
Where the service has been rated less than Good, SRG can support with monthly support visits. During these visits the consultant will look at the areas included in the action plan and the progress made, provide mentorship and support to complete the actions. Please note this is a separate costed service to the mock inspection.
The mock inspections are priced at just £1195+vat.
Did you know? You can download our CQC Inspections Guide. What to expect on a CQC inspection..
Download here: https://srglimited.co.uk/resources
Thorough compliance inspections in-line with CQC standards
Our Mock CQC Inspections are carried out by expert social care consultants, and imitate CQC’s Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE) and inspection methodology.
Mock CQC inspections can be arranged to suit any regulated service provider with advice and guidance tailored to your service specialism, we can carry them out with the knowledge of your workforce or as an unannounced inspection.
Detailed finding report, service ratings and action plans will be provided on completion of every successfully mock CQC inspection.
Mock inspection can be carried out for many different reasons:
Why have an inspection audit?
How are we different?
SRG Care Consultancy, has been established for over 5 years, the team range from Ex CQC Inspectors, Company Directors and Senior Managers, all with the same passion to deliver a service that supports your home to be compliant and deliver a safe and caring service. Our team go the extra mile and support you with a detailed Service Improvement plan, identifying areas using the RAG Status. ( Red. Amber Green) with clear actions on how to Improve. Our team offer an end to end service
What’s included in my CQC mock inspection?
Depending on your service size, our compliance team will book the suitable consultant to carry out the mock inspection, this can be announced or unannounced. During the audit the consultant will be on site going through a similar process like an official CQC Inspection. They will follow the KLOE Prompts. After a CQC mock inspection, you will get initial verbal feedback, followed by a full Audit report and Service Improvement Pan (SIP). The compliance team will call you once you have read through the report and SIP and support with any concerns that you have. Our team can then offer an end to end service where we can be on site and ensure that the SIP is being followed.
How much is a mock inspection?
We are transparent with our charges and actually we promote that we offer affordable services whilst maintaining a quality service. Each care service is charged slightly different depends on the size and number of residents supported. We offer a substantial discount for multiply sites and repeat visits.
I just want to look at one focused area?
We come across services that are concerns about one specific area, this could be Safe, Effective. Caring. Well Led, or Responsive. With our consultants they can easily adapt to this and be as flexible as required. One of our best products is what we call the Bronze product where we visit at specific times of the year just looking auditing on a focussed inspection.
I do not have the time for a mock inspection
We assure you that this will not be disruptive to you and the day to day running of the service. We prefer if the Manager / provider is around to give feedback as there will be always questions that we need to ask as part of the process. Its better for us if the staff just carry on with daily routines. We might interview them during the times when they are less busy.
In summary,
There is a great value by having a mock inspection one the most important things is to be proactive rather than reactive as this will save you time, money and heartache in the long term such as legal fees, embargos, safeguarding or challenges with CQC.
Mock inspection can be carried out for many different reasons:
Give us a call on 0330 133 0174 or email info@srglimited.co.uk – we can talk through any concerns or worries that you have.
We are also a care provider and we know the importance of mock inspections.
A mock Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection is a simulated or practice inspection conducted by external consultancy companies for care services such as Care Homes, Nursing Homes, Domiciliary Services or Supported Living Services. The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. It monitors, inspects, and regulates these services to ensure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety.
A mock CQC inspection is designed to replicate the conditions of a real inspection, allowing care services to assess their readiness and compliance with CQC standards. During a mock inspection, the organisation undergoes a thorough review of its policies, procedures, and practices to identify areas of improvement and ensure that it is prepared for the actual inspection by the Care Quality Commission.
The goal of a mock CQC inspection is to help care providers identify and address any issues or deficiencies in their services, facilities, and processes before the official inspection takes place. It is a proactive approach to quality assurance and regulatory compliance, helping organisations maintain high standards of care and meet the requirements set forth by the regulatory body.
Assessment of Quality and Safety:
The CQC inspects health and social care providers to assess the quality and safety of the services they offer. This includes evaluating whether the care provided meets established standards and regulations.
Regulatory Compliance:
The inspections ensure that healthcare and social care providers comply with relevant regulations and legislation. This helps maintain a consistent and high standard of care across the sector.
Protection of Patients and Service Users:
CQC inspections are conducted to protect the well-being and rights of patients and service users. By assessing the quality of care, the CQC aims to ensure that individuals receive safe, effective, and compassionate services.
Identification of Areas for Improvement:
The CQC inspections help identify areas where healthcare and social care providers can improve their services. This includes addressing any deficiencies, enhancing patient/service user experience, and implementing changes to better meet the needs of service users.
Public Accountability and Transparency:
The CQC publishes inspection reports, making information about the quality of care provided by healthcare and social care organisations accessible to the public. This promotes transparency and allows individuals to make informed choices about their providers.
Encouragement of Continuous Improvement:
CQC inspections encourage providers to engage in continuous improvement efforts. By identifying strengths and areas for development, organizations can enhance the quality of their services over time.
Risk Management:
The inspections help identify and manage risks within settings. This includes risks related to patient/service user safety, infection control, staffing levels, and other factors that can impact the quality of care.
Feedback for Providers:
CQC inspections provide feedback to providers, highlighting both positive aspects and areas that need improvement. This feedback is valuable for organisations as they work to deliver high-quality care.
The three main types of CQC inspections are:
Comprehensive Inspections:
Purpose: These inspections provide a comprehensive assessment of a provider’s overall quality and safety across all key areas of care.
Scope: Comprehensive inspections cover various aspects, including safety, effectiveness, responsiveness, leadership, and how well-led the organisation is.
Frequency: The frequency of comprehensive inspections depends on the previous inspection findings, the type of service provided, and other factors.
Focused Inspections:
Purpose: Focused inspections are targeted assessments that concentrate on specific areas of concern or improvement identified during previous inspections or based on specific issues reported.
Scope: These inspections focus on the specific aspects or services that require closer attention or improvement, rather than providing a comprehensive evaluation of the entire organization.
Frequency: The timing of focused inspections is determined by the urgency and nature of the identified issues.
Themed Inspections:
Purpose: Themed inspections focus on specific themes or issues that cut across different providers. They aim to assess how well providers are addressing particular challenges or implementing specific initiatives.
Scope: Themed inspections may cover topics such as dementia care, end-of-life care, or other specific areas of interest that are relevant across different types of services.
Frequency: Themed inspections may be conducted periodically to explore how well providers are meeting the standards related to the chosen theme.
Routine Inspections:
The CQC conducts regular, routine inspections as part of its ongoing regulatory responsibilities. The frequency of routine inspections may vary based on the type of service and its previous inspection ratings.
Concerns and Complaints:
Inspections may be triggered by concerns raised by service users, their families, or staff. Complaints received by the CQC or other relevant authorities can prompt an investigation and inspection.
Incidents and Serious Events:
Serious incidents, adverse events, or patient/service user safety concerns can lead to inspections. These events may include incidents that result in harm to patients/service users or instances of inadequate care that pose a risk to the well-being of individuals.
Changes in Leadership or Management:
Changes in the leadership or management of a healthcare provider can be a trigger for inspection. This is to assess the impact of new leadership on the quality and safety of services.
Data and Information Analysis:
The CQC continually monitors data and information related to providers. Patterns, trends, or anomalies in data may prompt the CQC to conduct targeted inspections.
Follow-up Inspections:
Follow-up inspections may be conducted to assess whether a provider has made improvements following a previous inspection that identified areas of concern or non-compliance.
Themed Inspections:
The CQC may conduct themed inspections to focus on specific aspects of care or issues that are relevant across different providers. For example, a themed inspection may focus on dementia care or end-of-life care.
Risk Assessment:
The CQC uses risk assessments to identify providers that may be at higher risk of providing poor-quality care. These risk assessments consider various factors, including previous inspection findings, data trends, and intelligence from other sources.
Enforcement Action:
The CQC has the authority to take enforcement action against providers that fail to meet the required standards. Enforcement actions can include issuing warning notices, placing conditions on the provider’s registration, or even cancelling the registration.
Improvement Plans:
In some cases, the CQC may work with the provider to develop an improvement plan. The provider will be expected to take specific actions to address the identified issues within a set timeframe. The CQC will monitor progress through follow-up inspections.
Publicly Available Inspection Reports:
The results of CQC inspections, including any failings or areas of concern, are published in publicly available inspection reports. These reports can be accessed by the public, service users, and other stakeholders. Transparency is a key aspect of the CQC’s regulatory approach.
Provider Ratings:
The CQC assigns a rating to healthcare providers based on their performance in key areas. The ratings include categories such as “Outstanding,” “Good,” “Requires Improvement,” or “Inadequate.” A failing inspection is likely to result in a rating of “Requires Improvement” or “Inadequate.”
Loss of Reputation:
Failing a CQC inspection can have significant implications for the reputation of the provider. Negative inspection outcomes may erode public trust and confidence in the organization.
Impact on Funding and Contracts:
In some cases, a failing inspection may affect the provider’s eligibility for certain funding or contracts. For example, public funding or contracts with local authorities may be contingent on meeting CQC standards.
Legal Consequences:
Serious and persistent failures to meet CQC standards can lead to legal consequences. Legal action may be taken against providers who do not comply with enforcement actions or fail to address serious concerns.
It’s important to note that the CQC’s approach is not solely punitive; it is designed to support improvement in the quality and safety of care. Providers are generally given opportunities to make necessary improvements, and the CQC works collaboratively with them to achieve compliance. However, the severity of the consequences can increase if issues persist or if there is a significant risk to the well-being of individuals using the service.
Patient-Centered Care:
How do you ensure that care is tailored to the individual needs and preferences of patients?
Can you provide examples of how you involve patients in their care planning and decision-making?
Safety and Risk Management:
How do you identify and assess risks to patient safety within the care setting?
Can you describe the procedures in place for reporting and responding to incidents, accidents, and near misses?
Clinical Effectiveness:
How do you ensure that clinical practices are evidence-based and aligned with best practices?
Can you provide examples of how you monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of care and treatment?
Staffing and Training:
How is staffing levels determined to ensure safe and effective care?
Can you describe the training and development opportunities provided to staff?
Communication and Collaboration:
How do you communicate with patients and their families, ensuring that information is clear and accessible?
Can you provide examples of effective multidisciplinary collaboration within the healthcare team?
Safeguarding and Protection:
How do you identify and respond to signs of abuse or neglect?
Can you describe the processes in place for safeguarding vulnerable patients?
Patient Experience and Feedback:
How do you gather feedback from patients about their experiences of care?
Can you share examples of how patient feedback has led to improvements in the service?
Infection Prevention and Control:
How do you ensure compliance with infection prevention and control measures?
Can you describe the processes for monitoring and managing healthcare-associated infections?
End-of-Life Care:
How is end-of-life care approached, ensuring dignity and respect for patients and their families?
Can you provide examples of how the service supports patients in making decisions about their end-of-life care?
Leadership and Governance:
How is leadership demonstrated within the nursing team, and how does it contribute to the overall governance of the service?
Can you describe any initiatives or changes implemented to improve the quality of care?
A Provider Information Return (PIR) is a document that health and social care providers in the United Kingdom are required to submit to the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The PIR is a part of the regulatory framework established by the CQC to ensure that it has up-to-date and accurate information about registered providers.
The PIR typically includes essential information about the healthcare provider, and it serves several purposes:
Basic Information:
The PIR captures basic details about the provider, including the name of the registered manager, the types of services offered, and the location of the service.
Service Details:
Providers are required to provide information about the specific services they offer. This includes details about the size and capacity of the service, the number of beds (if applicable), and any specific populations served.
Workforce Information:
The PIR includes information about the workforce, such as the number and type of staff employed, their qualifications, and any relevant training they have received.
Governance and Management:
Providers are asked to provide information about their governance and management structures. This includes details about the leadership team, how the service is managed, and the mechanisms in place for ensuring quality and safety.
Financial Viability:
The PIR may also include information about the provider’s financial viability, such as details about the financial management of the service.
Changes and Events:
Providers are required to inform the CQC about certain changes or events that may impact their registration or the services they provide. This includes changes in leadership, significant incidents, or changes to the physical premises.
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