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

10. Conclusion

In completing this Review and listening to a wide range of voices about the current systems of inspection, scrutiny, and regulation, it is clear that change is needed to meet the requirement of the current and future social care support landscape.

The Review recognises the intention of the inspection, scrutiny, and regulatory bodies to work in a way that is inclusive and human rights-based but the gap between this intention and the experience of people who use and work in social care support and linked services, was clear.

There therefore needs to be cultural and legislative changes to systems of inspection, scrutiny, and regulation to one that prioritises improvement, is comprehensive and is consistent in what it inspects, scrutinises and regulates. This ensures that high quality social care support is the responsibility of all relevant parties and that inspection, scrutiny, and regulatory bodies have the power to take decisive and effective action when required.

Some of the recommendations in this Review build on findings from earlier reviews, for example, those aimed at reducing duplication and increasing the involvement of people with lived and living experience. By doing so, the

Review recognises the longstanding nature of some of these issues and takes the opportunity to consolidate and reinforce the importance of decisive action being taken to address them. Other recommendations are pertinent to new areas, for example, a bespoke system for the registration of Personal Assistants and extending inspection, scrutiny, and regulation to areas not part of the current system.

The Review has outlined why change is needed and sets out a comprehensive package of recommendations that, if implemented, will result in there being a human rights-based system of inspection, scrutiny, and regulation that is comprehensive, inclusive, joined up, proportionate and fair. The Review is under no illusion of the challenges in modernising and strengthening the inspection and regulatory system in Scotland but, with the plans for a National Care Service, now is the time to do just that.