10.1 Monitoring Quality

Contents

1. Regulation 33 Visits
2. Regulation 34 Reviews
   
   Appendix 1: Matters to be Monitored

1. Regulation 33 Visits

The authority will arrange for all of its homes to receive monthly visits from an Independent Person. These visits are an on-going process that identifies where you are at any given point in time and provides a potential basis in moving forwards. This is only a small element of this process the allocated Independent Regulation 32/33 visitor will undertake the visits. This individual is independent of both the Home. The visits should usually be unannounced but can be announced if it is necessary to arrange to meet a particular person.

The visit will be for a minimum of one hour. The person should complete a written report of the visit, outlining recommendations for improvement, the report should be shared with the Registered Manager, with the opportunity to make comment e.g. if there is disagreement with the comments and recommendations. The report should be lodged in the home for the manager and staff to read and respond to.

If there are issues or concern, the Line Manager should take action to address them.

A copy of this report is sent to the Regulatory Authority in the following month after the visit.

The person undertaking the visits may undertake specific checks and have access to what records s/he sees fit. This will also focus on particular themes or issues including the following:

1. Meet and talk to children and staff of the home to ascertain their views, comments and any complaints about the running of the home.
2. Read the Daily Log, records of Restraints, Incidents, reports of Notifiable events.
3. Checks of any disciplinary measures and use of restraint in the home.
4. Read the records of Comments, Representations and Complaints and (Child Protection Referrals), commenting on the frequency and type made and whether they appear to have been dealt with adequately.
5. Read and comment on the record of Children's and Staff Meetings, or other methods used by the manager to consult the children and staff, held in the home. The person should also check that staff supervision have taken place as required.
6. Check on the physical condition and decoration of the home, including the children's bedrooms.

2. Regulation 34 Reviews

Every six months, the Registered Manager and Line Manager for the Home must undertake a review of the performance of the home and quality of care provided.

On each occasion, it will be necessary to review the matters covered in Appendix 1: Matters to be Monitored;

The Managers must produce a report of their findings and recommendations, and produce a development plan.

Appendix 1: Matters to be Monitored

Checklist: Use this list as a checklist - print this Chapter (print icon at the top of the screen) and use it as a checklist.

The following must be reviewed/undertaken every six months

• All Regulation 32/33 Reports and establish if any outstanding matters should be resolved/addressed; if so, make suitable arrangements for change;
• Check that all Children have an up to date Placement Plan, Personal Education Plan (PEP) and Health Care Plan;
• Review all Incident Reports and notifications made (see Notifiable Events Procedure), and make/recommend necessary practice/procedural changes
• Conduct a Children's and Staff Meeting specifically to canvass views on improvements that could be made to improve the performance of the home and quality of care provided;
• The deposit and issue of money and other valuables handed in for safekeeping;
• Daily menus;
• All accidents and injuries sustained in the home or by children accommodated there;
• Any illnesses of children accommodated in the home;
• Complaints in relation to children accommodated in the home and their outcomes;
• Any allegations or suspicions of abuse in respect of children accommodated in the home and the outcome of any investigation;
• Staff recruitment records and conduct of required checks for new workers in the home;
• Visitors to the home and to children in the home;
• Any unauthorised absence from the home of a child accommodated there;
• The use of measures of control, restraint and discipline in respect of children accommodated in the home;
• Risk assessments for health and safety purposes and subsequent action taken;
• Medicines, medical treatment and first aid administered to any child accommodated in the home;
• In the case of a qualifying school, the standards of educational provision;
• Duty rosters of persons working at the home, and the rosters actually worked;
• The home's daily log of events;
• Fire drills and tests of alarms and of fire equipment;
• Records of appraisals of employees;
• Minutes of staff meetings.

On an annual basis, the managers must also review the Home's Statement of Purpose, and make necessary improvements, which should be approved by the Regulatory Authority.

End