How will we regulate Care Consultants?
We have created a framework that ensures Care Consultants have the required legal and ethical skills to perform their roles.
The Framework of accreditation is split into four parts.
Application
The application stage considers personal information, relevant experience, qualifications, references, Insurance, and previous/current CQC registrations.
Skills Assessment
The Skills assessment looks at relevant areas of expertise that the consultant can provide and evidence that can be substantiated in the form of certification or references. After an application is recieved the consultant will be invited to a Panel interview to assure their skills and speciliams.
Right to work
Right-to-work documents will need to be provided alongside DBS on the update service and professional indemnity insurance. If none of these documents are provided, consultants will not be added to the accreditation.
Monitoring
The C-CAF online platform will offer consultants their own profiles within a directory. These profiles will allow and encourage reviews from care providers who have commissioned services.
Care England
OFFICIAL PARTNER
Care England, representing the adult social care sector Care England, a registered charity, is the leading representative body for small, medium and large providers in England.
Care England strives to work collaboratively with its members, stakeholders and Government to implement the foundations of a sustainable future for adult social care that will be to the benefit of all citizens and the economy.
Why do we do it?
With the Care Quality Commission (CQC) under ever-growing scrutiny, care providers are increasingly commissioning the services of care consultants to support them. The outcomes of these services are extremely variable due to the lack of regulation around consultants.
An estimated 150,000.00 care consultants are operating within UK Social Care; however, this number is likely to be much higher; currently, there is no way of ascertaining the actual number.
Unlike in the NHS, where around 250,000 consultants provide independent services, we only know this because the NHS has a tender framework regulating consultant usage.
Due diligence is often not considered when hiring a consultant. For example, how can care providers be assured that the consultant has the relevant insurance and DBS check? How can a provider be assured that the consultant has the relevant skills, qualifications, and experience to carry out the service being asked of them?
What are the benefits for a consultant?
There has been scrutiny aimed at consultants who do not possess the relevant skills, qualifications, or experience to provide independent services.
Care consultants will also be contacted through the directory from care providers looking to commission work.
As part of their membership at C-CAF, consultants will have access to professional development webinars and training sessions to further develop and enhance their knowledge and skills.
There is also a benefit in the complaints management function, which adds a layer of professional protection.