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CQC Assurance

Tools and information to support ASC staff to be prepared for CQC Assurance (now completed)

CQC Assurance

Care Quality Commission (CQC) assurance was a review of how Camden Adult Social Care delivered on their Care Act 2014 duties. Like Ofsted in Children and Learning, this process is the Adult Social Care version of an inspection.

In Camden, we are confident in the support we provide to residents. The CQC assurance provided us an opportunity to gather evidence to showcase the great ways in which we supported people - and continue to support people, whilst carrying out Care Act duties. 

The CQC inspectors on-site visit was on 18 November to 20 November.

If you have questions, please contact Cynthia Davis, Head of Adult Social Care Innovation at [email protected] or [email protected].

CQC Daily Breakfast Briefings from Jess McGregor

In the week of the CQC on-site visit, 18 November to 20 November, Jess McGregor provided daily breakfast briefings, as below, where she shared some short, snappy updates about what was coming, as well as any reflections that senior managers had.

Staff were invited to share any reflections they had about their experience of inspection by dropping a line to [email protected] or finding senior managers on the 7th floor to have a chat.

  Thursday 21 November

 

CQC have left the building, and they have a final few meetings with key partners in the NHS today before their inspection is concluded. The last three days have involved 35 CQC sessions and 47 internal briefs and debriefs. Over 100 of us, our partners and providers have been involved. 

What happened yesterday:

Yesterday was another busy day of one-to-one interviews and focus groups and there were three staff drop-ins. Looking at the feedback from all these sessions, we can see our focus on equalities, on What Matters, and our relationships with residents and partners coming through.

What happens next: 

Avril, Chris and I will be meeting the inspection team on Monday, where we will find out more about their next steps and when we can expect to hear from them. We will share this with you when we know more. 

Our initial feedback from the inspection team:

In our final debrief, CQC reiterated many of the things I shared with you yesterday. They found a strong Equality, Diversity and Inclusion culture across all their conversations, and saw empowered staff who were supported to test, learn and innovate. Elected Members and senior leaders were visible and had insight into our strengths and challenges, and CQC recognised our vision and plans for improvement where we know there is more work to do.

And most importantly of all, CQC found meeting you all inspiring (their words!)

This represents the end of an immense amount of work and I can’t tell you how thankful I am for everyone’s contributions. But mainly, I left last night glowing with pride about the lovely things that they said about all of you. 

I do hope you’re around today and can join us to celebrate! 

We’ll have a pop-in from 3-5pm this afternoon at the 7th floor kitchen (light side) for some nibbles and a chat, and from 5.15pm we will be at The Star of Kings (126 York Way) for some drinks.

Wednesday 20 November

 

What happened yesterday:

Yesterday was a busy day of one-to-one interviews and focus groups across a broad range of functions and teams. Throughout the day, I was struck by how positive people felt about their conversations with CQC, and there was such a lively feeling across the 7th floor. 

My meeting with CQC:

I received some initial feedback from CQC about their experiences when I met with them yesterday evening. Whilst they didn't give too much away, I was heartened to hear how they enjoyed meeting so many of you, and how you feel you are well-supported and freed up to work innovatively in your day-to-day work. They noted our focus on co-production and listening to our communities, our work with partners such as the Voluntary and Community Sector, and how focused we are on improving our offer for carers, autistic adults and our mental health arrangements.

What’s happening today:  

It’s another busy day today with CQC, finalising their themed focus groups and meetings with frontline teams. There will also be three one-to-one interviews across the council's senior leadership, with myself, our Chief Executive Jenny Rowlands, and our Director of Health and Wellbeing Kirsten Watters.

CQC will also be running three more drop-in sessions today. Each session is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. You can find the time and locations of these below:

  • Staff sessions 10.00-10.30 and 10.40-11.10 in 8.1 Waterlow
  • Managers session 11.20-11.50 in 8.1 Waterlow

Tuesday 19 November

 

How yesterday went:

Yesterday we welcomed the CQC team to 5 Pancras Square and they had a full afternoon meeting with our commissioned providers, Cllr Anna Wright, our Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, and a number of you across three drop-in sessions. There was a real buzz around the office and we really enjoyed hearing from colleagues after their sessions. We received some wonderful feedback from our providers too, who put the relationships we form with them at the front and centre of their conversation.

What’s happening today:  

  • One-to-one interviews, including a session with Margaretha Staines, our Principal Social Worker.
  • Focus groups with frontline teams, such as our OTs, mental health and neighbourhood teams, and with colleagues across commissioning, quality assurance, brokerage and direct payments.
  • I will also have an opportunity to hear some early feedback from the inspection team about what they are finding so far, which I look forward to sharing with you tomorrow.

Reminder of the drop-ins on Wednesday:

CQC will be running three more open sessions on Wednesday. Each session is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. You can find the time and locations of these below:

  • Staff sessions 00-10.30and 10.40-11.10 in 8.1 Waterlow 
  • Managers session 20-11.50 in 8.1 Waterlow

Remember, if you'd like to share your reflections and your experience of inspection, please do drop us a line as we'd love to hear from you. 

Thanks everyone for all your hard work, and to those who spoke so passionately to CQC yesterday about the work we do – and best of luck to everyone involved in the process today.

Monday 18 November

 

What’s happening today: 

  • We’re expecting CQC inspectors to join us in the afternoon today – they are likely to arrive and get settled in for 1.30pm.
  • Today they’ll be holding a focus group with our registered providers, meeting Cllr Anna Wright, our Cabinet member, and running three drop-in sessions. Please remember numbers for these sessions are limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. 
  • We’re particularly excited for CQC to find out more about how we work with our providers today – we're really proud of our relationships and the work we do together in Camden and it is an important part of the story we want to tell.
Last updated: 05 December 2024