Social care - Independent Review of Inspection, Scrutiny and Regulation: recommendation report - executive summary

Theme 1 - a person centred approach

Inspection, scrutiny, and regulation of social care support must fundamentally be about people. How inspection, scrutiny and regulation are operationalised and experienced should ensure not only the provision of safe and high-quality care and support, but also that people are treated with respect, involved in decision making about their lives and are fully informed about the support they can expect.

The Review heard from people who receive social care support, and from those who work in the sector, that they want a system of inspection, scrutiny, and regulation where the rights of people with lived and living experience are understood and upheld, strong professional relationships are built, there is meaningful and inclusive involvement processes and information is clear and accessible to all.

The recommendations made under this theme are:

1. It is recommended that inspection, scrutiny, and regulatory bodies consistently apply a human rights-based approach that places people at the centre of the process.

2. It is recommended that matters of trust, respect, relationships, ethos and culture be placed at the heart of inspection, scrutiny, and regulation and should be reflected in reports.

3. It is recommended that inspection, scrutiny, and regulatory bodies must set out clearly in their annual report how they have led and cultivated a culture of openness and trust.

4. It is recommended that inspection, scrutiny, and regulatory bodies make appropriate arrangements to engage people with lived and living experience in co-designing engagement tools and developing the inspection and regulatory frameworks.

5. It is recommended that a strengthened system be put in place for people to have a formal role as lay inspectors in the process of inspection, scrutiny, and regulation, including young people with care experience. An appropriate level of remuneration should be made available.

6. It is recommended that inspection bodies’ approach to engagement must be flexible, inclusive and appropriate. This includes allowing sufficient time for responses to be made and making suitable arrangements for conversations to take place with individuals, family members and staff, ensuring consistency and accessible information is available.

7. It is recommended that independent advocacy is available for people to help them to exercise their rights, and when necessary, to provide support to navigate complaints and any escalation processes.