Care Inspectorate Scotland inspection preparation checklist

Use this checklist to verify that your Care Inspectorate-registered service is ready for inspection at any time. The Care Inspectorate conducts both announced and unannounced inspections, so your service should be inspection-ready as a matter of routine.

Care Inspectorate inspection methodology (Scotland)

How the Care Inspectorate inspects and grades care services in Scotland, including the quality framework themes, grading scale, and risk-based frequency.

The Care Inspectorate conducts both announced and unannounced inspections of registered care services. Inspections are aligned to the Health and Social Care Standards and assess how well a service meets the needs of people using it.

Quality framework

Inspections assess services against quality themes linked to the Health and Social Care Standards. Themes include wellbeing, leadership, staffing, setting, care and support planning, and the overall environment.

Risk-based approach

Inspection frequency is determined by a risk-based model. Services with lower grades, complaints, or concerns are inspected more frequently. Care homes receive a minimum of one inspection per year; other service types are inspected on a frequency determined by risk.

Grade 6: Excellent: Outstanding, sector-leading practice
Grade 5: Very Good: Major strengths with very few areas for improvement
Grade 4: Good: Important strengths with some areas for improvement
Grade 3: Adequate: Strengths just outweigh weaknesses; improvement needed
Grade 2: Weak: Significant weaknesses; improvement required
Grade 1: Unsatisfactory: Major failings requiring immediate remedial action
Publication: Inspection reports published on Care Inspectorate website (public register)
Joint inspections: Carried out with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) for integrated services

Health and Social Care Standards (Scotland)

Scotland's national quality framework for all regulated care services, replacing the former National Care Standards. Five headline outcome-focused standards based on a human rights approach.

The Health and Social Care Standards (also known as 'My support, my life') were published in June 2017 and came into effect in April 2018, replacing the former National Care Standards. They set out what people should expect when using health, social care, or social work services in Scotland.

The standards take an outcome-focused, human rights-based approach. They are written from the perspective of the person using the service, using 'I' and 'we' statements. All care services registered with the Care Inspectorate must meet these standards, which form the basis of inspection and quality assessment.

Standard 1: I experience high quality care and support that is right for me: Covers compassionate and person-centred care, responsive to individual needs
Standard 2: I am fully involved in all decisions about my care, treatment, or support: Covers informed choice, consent, independent advocacy, and participation
Standard 3: I have confidence in the people who support and care for me: Covers workforce competence, training, values, and safe recruitment
Standard 4: I have confidence in the organisation providing my care and support: Covers leadership, governance, quality assurance, and complaints processes
Standard 5: I experience a high quality environment if the organisation provides the premises: Covers safe, well-maintained, accessible, and homely environment
Published: June 2017
Effective from: April 2018
Replaces: National Care Standards (2002)
Applies to: All registered care services, NHS services, and social work services in Scotland

Registration and governance

Current Care Inspectorate registration certificate displayed at the premises
Statement of purpose (or service description) is up to date and reflects current service provision
Registered manager is in post and the Care Inspectorate has been notified of any changes
Insurance certificates are valid (employers' liability, public liability, professional indemnity where applicable)
Previous inspection requirements and recommendations have been addressed with evidence of actions taken
Annual return has been submitted to the Care Inspectorate on time
Notification procedures are in place and staff know what events must be reported to the Care Inspectorate

Staffing and workforce

All staff in registrable roles are registered with the SSSC or have applied within the required timescale
PVG scheme membership is confirmed for all staff working with protected adults or children
Mandatory training records are complete and up to date for all staff (including moving and handling, first aid, fire safety, infection control, adult protection)
Supervision records are on file for each staff member at the required frequency
Annual appraisals have been completed for all staff
Staff rota demonstrates adequate staffing levels for current service users and dependency levels
Induction records are complete for all staff who started within the last 6 months
Staff can articulate how they meet the Health and Social Care Standards in their daily practice

Care delivery and records

Every service user has an up-to-date personal plan (care plan) reviewed at least every six months
Personal plans include evidence of the individual's involvement and, where appropriate, family or carer involvement
Risk assessments are current and reflect each individual's needs and choices
Medication records are accurate, up to date, and show no unexplained gaps
Incident and accident records are maintained and show evidence of follow-up actions and learning
There is evidence of personalised, meaningful activities and social engagement for each person
Anticipatory care plans or end-of-life plans are in place where relevant

Premises and environment

Fire risk assessment is current and reviewed at least annually
Fire safety equipment is serviced and tested (extinguishers, alarms, emergency lighting)
Fire drills have been conducted and recorded at the required frequency
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) are in place for service users who need them
Premises are clean, well-maintained, homely, and free from hazards
Infection prevention and control measures are in place and audited regularly
Equipment maintenance logs are current (hoists, beds, wheelchairs, call systems)
Food hygiene rating is current and food storage temperatures are recorded

Safeguarding and complaints

Adult Support and Protection policy is current and staff know the reporting procedure
Safeguarding concerns have been reported to the local authority and the Care Inspectorate where required
Complaints procedure is displayed and accessible to service users in a format they can understand
Complaints log is maintained with evidence of investigation, outcome, and learning
Service users and families know how to raise concerns and feel safe doing so

Care Inspectorate Inspection Grades (Scotland)

Inspection framework and grading system for Scottish social care providers

Grade 1: Unsatisfactory
Grade 6: Excellent
Grading scale: 1 (Unsatisfactory) to 6 (Excellent)
Theme 1: How well do we support people's wellbeing?
Theme 2: How good is our leadership?
Theme 3: How good is our staff team?
Theme 4: How good is our setting?
Theme 5: How well is our care planned?

Legal basis

Primary legislation and key regulations

Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 Primary 2010 · Scotland

Read it on legislation.gov.uk legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

Care Inspectorate registration (opens in a new tab)

Care Inspectorate Scotland inspection preparation checklist

Registration and governance

Staffing and workforce

Care delivery and records

Premises and environment

Safeguarding and complaints

Legal basis

Official guidance

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