Person-centred care and CQC compliance
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) mandates thorough documentation of care plans, including the goals set for each service user.
The CQC’s 17th regulation for care home providers and managers states that:
“Providers must securely maintain accurate, complete and detailed records in respect of each person using the service and records relating to the employment of staff and the overall management of the regulated activity.”
Under the CQC’s guidance, clear documentation serves multiple purposes: it provides a clear record of the care provided, facilitates continuous improvement, and demonstrates accountability during inspections.
Recently, the CQC released its new single assessment framework, which has provided greater clarity of what they are looking for in their assessments and inspections of care home providers.
For example, the new framework places a renewed emphasis on person-centred care - promoting choice, dignity and involvement in decision making. So if you’re going to stay compliant with the CQC’s framework in the long-term, it’s never been more important to have an effective goal setting strategy.
In this chapter, we’ll take you through the essential strategies that every care home provider needs to follow to stay compliant. But first, let’s take a closer look at why the CQC places such a high value on person-centred care.
Log my Care’s in-house expert Mark Topps has identified nine core reasons why evidencing goals for your service users is important in the eyes of the CQC.
- Demonstrates staff dedication and capability, boosting ratings and reputation.
- Shows care is tailored to individual needs, aligning with CQC standards for Caring, Effective, and Responsive care.
- Ensures continuous monitoring: Regular tracking and documentation ensure effective care plans and timely adjustments.
- Involves family and stakeholders, providing holistic support and compliance with CQC standards.
- Provides tangible evidence of health improvements and increased independence through assessments and feedback.
- Demonstrates achieving goals and gaining independence, boosting care ratings.
- Aligns staff and resources with service user goals, showing wise resource management.
- Captures and addresses complaints, demonstrating responsiveness and commitment to improvement.
- Regular progress assessments show a focus on sustained health and well-being, meeting CQC standards.
You can read Mark’s in-depth blog post on why evidencing goals is so important here.
Maintaining regulatory compliance
Evidencing and aligning your goal setting involves a number of key components to be successful.
Consistent documentation
If you’re going to successfully meet the CQC’s inspection standards, you need meticulous documentation!
This includes maintaining comprehensive records of service user goals, progress notes, and outcomes. Each entry should detail the specific goals set, the steps taken to achieve these goals, and the progress observed.
Preparing for inspections
Inspections can be a nerve-wracking time for your team - so make sure you organise all relevant documents and ensure they are easily accessible to all stakeholders.
We’d recommend creating a checklist of required documents, such as:
- care plans
- progress notes
- staff training records
- feedback forms
Regular internal audits can help identify any gaps in documentation and address them proactively. Being prepared for inspections demonstrates a commitment to transparency and continuous improvement.
Striving for continuous improvement
To maintain high standards of compliance, it’s essential to regularly review and update documentation practices. This can be achieved through internal audits, feedback from staff, and staying informed about regulatory changes.
Implementing a culture of continuous improvement ensures that documentation practices evolve with regulatory requirements and industry best practices. Regular training sessions can keep staff updated on new documentation standards and techniques.
Promoting staff engagement
Include your staff in goal setting initiatives
Your staff play a crucial role in the goal-setting process, acting as the bridge between service users and the care plan.
So it stands to reason that their involvement ensures that goals are realistic, achievable, and aligned with the individual needs of service users.
By actively participating in goal setting, staff can better advocate for service users, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met. This engagement not only enhances the quality of care but also empowers staff to take ownership of the care process.
Create the strategies that will let you identify & overcome obstacles
Several obstacles can hinder effective goal setting, including lack of training, time constraints, and resistance to change. Insufficient training can leave staff ill-prepared to set meaningful goals or track progress accurately.
High workloads and tight schedules can make it challenging for staff to find the time needed to engage in the goal-setting process thoroughly. Additionally, some staff may resist new goal-setting systems, preferring familiar routines over new methods.
Overcoming these challenges requires targeted strategies. Comprehensive training programs can equip staff with the skills and knowledge needed to create the goal setting strategies we’ve discussed in this book.
Change management strategies, including open communication and involving staff in decision-making, can reduce resistance and increase buy-in. Likewise, support systems like mentorship programs and regular feedback mechanisms also play a crucial role in fostering a collaborative environment.
Create a collaborative culture
Promoting a culture of collaboration involves regular team meetings and workshops where staff can discuss progress, share experiences, and address challenges.
Regular meetings and workshops also allow staff to share their achievements in helping service users to set tangible and actionable goals.
By fostering a supportive and collaborative environment, care providers can enhance staff engagement and improve the overall quality of care.
Collect & integrate staff feedback
Regularly gathering staff feedback through surveys and questionnaires can provide valuable insights into the service user goal-setting process.
This feedback can identify areas for improvement and highlight best practices in supporting service users. Involving staff in the review and adjustment of service user goals ensures that their perspectives are considered and their expertise utilised.
The benefit of a collaborative approach? It’s more likely to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, enhancing the effectiveness of your goal setting process.
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