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GO Online: Inspection toolkit

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Assessing needs

The CQC inspection focus will look at how you assess and review the needs of the people you support. From the initial assessment to how you monitor and adapt support, the CQC will be looking for evidence about how you maximise the effectiveness of the care you provide.

The following film provides a summary of this area of inspection. It can help you and your teams learn about what will be inspected and what is important to demonstrate to deliver good or outstanding care.

Introducing Assessing needs

Duration 01 min 42 sec

The CQC inspection will look at how you assess and review the needs of the people you support. This is an on-going process, and it is important to have robust systems in place to review and adapt people’s changing needs.

From assessing the needs of your latest client to reviewing the need of the person you have supported the longest, your processes must be effective and adaptable.

The CQC will be interested in the processes you have adopted to maximise the effectiveness of people’s care and treatment. This includes responding to their health, wellbeing, and communication needs.

Ensuring the processes you use are person-centred and shaped around the needs of the person is essential. Evidence of how you involve people and their family members in needs assessments and reviews is important, as is demonstrating consent.

Of course, undertaking an effective needs assessment and regular reviews requires good training and staff support. The CQC will want to know the systems you have in place to develop such skills and the checks that are in place to maintain high standards.

As part of the inspection, the CQC will speak to managers, your staff team, the people you support and potentially others such as family members and health professionals. They’ll also look at assessment records, policies and procedures and your compliance with Mental Capacity and Equality Act legislation.

To learn more about how you can meet this area of CQC inspection, take a look at GO Online.

Watch the film here: https://vimeo.com/788202479

Resources

The practical resources below can help you to strengthen this area of CQC inspection. Use the filter to choose different types of resources or select based on related prompt.

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3 resource(s) found

About Me Standard

Resource creator: Professional Records Standard Body (PRSB)

Endorsed by professional bodies, national charities, PRSB Standards are closely aligned with NICE guidelines and help health and social care providers to align with best practice. 

The About Me standard covers the most important details that a person wants to share with professionals in health and social care.  This information might include how best to communicate with the person, how to help them feel at ease or details about how they like to take their medication. 

  • Guide

Date published: November 2020


What to expect during assessment and care planning: a quick guide

Resource creator: National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

This is a short and visually appealing guide for people using adult social care services, containing key information from the relevant NICE guidance. It outlines what to expect during assessment and care planning.

  • Guide

Date published: September 2018


Strengths-based approach to Assessment

Resource creator: Social Care Institute of Excellence (scie)

Use this guide to find out how a strengths-based approach to assessment fulfils the main aim of the Care Act, in promoting people’s wellbeing and independence. Sections include:

  • what practitioners need to consider
  • what makes a good assessment
  • checklist of local authority duties
  • film on strength-based approach.
  • Guide

Date published: March 2015



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