One of the inspections within the cycle, which kicked off in April, will be a joint Care Commission/HMIE inspection, which could take place in year one, two or three. The other inspections will be carried out by Care Commission staff acting on their own.
The joint Care Commission/ HMIE inspection will look at standard two, a safe environment; four, engaging with children; five, quality of experience; six, support and development; and 14, well-managed service.
Engaging with children includes staff assessment and planning for children's development and learning.
The quality of experience standard covers children being able to experience and choose from activities that take account of national and local guidelines, while support and development requires staff to put into practice individualised educational programmes to support children, where appropriate, and to be aware of relevant legislation about children and young people, including those with special needs. The well-managed service standard requires the manager to demonstrate a high level of professional competence and for the setting to have plans and policies on matters such as confidentiality, complaints, the aims and objectives of the service, child protection, whistle-blowing and emergency procedures.
The first Care Commission-only inspection, which could take place in either year one or two of the cycle depending on when the joint inspection falls, will focus on standard one, being welcomed and valued; seven, a caring environment; nine, involving the community; ten, involving other services; and 12, confidence in staff. Standard 12 covers compliance with staff-child ratios and qualification requirements, which are that at least half the staff should hold one of the qualifications listed in the Scottish Executive document Working with Children.
The second Care Commission-only inspection will cover standard three, health and wellbeing; eight, equality and fairness; 11, access to resources; and 13, improving the service. A spokesman for the Care Commission pointed out that at each inspection, inspectors will look to ensure any previous concerns have been tackled, and inspectors will be entitled to look at any of the standards on any visit if they pick up relevant concerns.
All services will be subject to one inspection a year, and services that operate on a 24-hour basis will be subject to two, one of which will be unannounced.
Standards for Inspection 2003/4 is available on www.carecommission.gov.uk.
