Care Inspectorate podcasts

Care Inspectorate chief executive Jackie Irvine talks with Audrey Donnan, chief inspector for early learning and childcare, about choosing a quality childminder. Useful links:  Care Inspectorate website Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) Setting the Table Guidance Food Matters Me, my family and my childcare setting

Sheri Kerr and Dr Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care, talk about why connection is so important and the importance of a human rights based approach. Meaningful connection, Care Inspectorate Scottish Care

In this episode we hear from Joanne Duncan, an early learning and childcare inspection team manager at the Care Inspectorate.  Joanne Duncan has many years’ experience in a variety of sectors within early learning and childcare (ELC) and started working with the Care Inspectorate as an ELC inspector in 2020. Joanne's passion for recognising and valuing the contribution that all staff make towards delivering Scotland’s vision of providing children with a high-quality care and learning experience, lead her to the temporary role of safe staffing adviser to support the sector prepare for enactment. Joanne is now a team manager within the early learning and childcare inspection teams and continues to support the sector to ensure children experience care that is safe, high-quality and that meets their needs, rights, and choices. Useful links: The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 Safe Staffing Programme, The Care Inspectorate Hub Safe Staffing Mailing List

In this episode we hear from Sarah Wroe and Sam Taylor who tell us about the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 and Sense Scotland, a national charity supporting and campaigning for children and adults with complex needs. Sarah Wroe is the learning and development manager at Sense Scotland, a leading Scottish charity and specialised social care provider supporting people with complex needs. Sarah is responsible for the design, implementation, and strategic oversight of the organisation’s learning and development programmes. In her role, she ensures that staff across the organisation are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence required to deliver high quality, person-centred support. Sarah plays a key role in embedding creative and sustainable training solutions in response to sector-wide challenges such as funding pressures, regulatory requirements, and the need for flexible, inclusive learning formats. Sarah also collaborates closely with operational teams, regulatory bodies, and partner organisations to maintain high standards and support continuous improvement across services.   Sam Taylor is the registered manager for Sense Scotland’s short breaks and respite service in South Lanarkshire, which provides respite care to people over the age of 16 years with communication support needs, complex health and physical support needs who may also have a sensory disability. Sam’s job role is wide ranging and involves ensuring the operational day to day management of the service, that the health, safety, and wellbeing of all people supported, and colleagues is maintained, ensuring that the quality of service provided is at a high level, liaising with internal and external stakeholders, delivering training and budget management.  Useful links: Sense Scotland The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 Safe Staffing Programme, The Care Inspectorate Hub

In this episode, we speak with Caroline Deane, workforce policy and practice lead at Scottish Care, about how she’s been supporting care providers through the changes brought by the Act. Caroline discusses a wide range of topics highlighting the collaborative efforts and aspirations for the future of social care. Caroline Deane is the workforce policy and practice lead for Scottish Care and is passionate about championing and supporting the social care workforce. Her work focuses on critical areas such as registration, regulation, and learning and development opportunities. Caroline is committed to ensuring that the voices of social care professionals are represented in policy discussions, influencing key stakeholders and shaping decisions that directly affect the sector.   Useful links: Scottish Care The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 Safe Staffing Programme, The Care Inspectorate Hub

In this episode, Alana Scullion service manager and registered manager for Inverclyde’s Health and Social Care Partnership shares how her team approached preparations for implementing the new legislation in their care at home services.  Alana Scullion is a service manager in the older people’ service within Inverclyde health and social care partnership. Since 2011, Alana has held a range of roles across the service, gaining experience in managing and supporting frontline care teams, team leadership and service development. With a strong focus on person-centred care and integrated working Alana is passionate about supporting people to live well and independently in their communities.    Useful links:   Inverclyde HSCP Care and Support at Home The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 Statutory Guidance Safe Staffing Programme, The Care Inspectorate Hub

In this episode we hear from Emma Barrett, registered nurse and care at home lead with St Columba’s Hospice, Edinburgh about how they prepared for the implementation of the Act. Emma Barrett is the lead for St Columba’s Hospice care at home service. This consists of 15 community clinical support workers over the Northeast and Northwest of Edinburgh, and the whole of East Lothian. The team provide an eight-week care service in our palliative patients' homes, delivering end of life care, respite visits or bridge gaps until permanent packages of care are matched. Emma’s role is to oversee all elements of the service with additional resources from a band 5 co-ordinator and a clinical administrator.  Useful links:   St Columba's Hospice at Home The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 Statutory Guidance Safe Staffing Programme, The Care Inspectorate Hub

Listen as Steph Thom, lead for the Safe Staffing Programme, introduces the podcast series with a brief overview of the Health and Care Staffing (Scotland) Act 2019 and what it means for care services across Scotland. Useful links: The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019   Safe Staffing Programme, The Care Inspectorate Hub Staffing method framework | Right Decisions (scot.nhs.uk) SSP HCSA Quick Guide Cards Safe Staffing Mailing List

Sheri Kerr and Claire Alexander, manager of Liberton Brae care home in Edinburgh, talk about creating an inclusive environment for LGBT+ people in care homes. Claire talks about her experience of using the proud to care self-assessment tool to improve inclusivity in her care home to create a positive and safe environment for everyone.   Useful links: Proud to Care: LGBT and Dementia: A Guide for Health and  Social Care Providers LGBT+ Mental Health Audit Tool: A guide for mental health services and organisations to becoming more LGBT+ inclusive Age UK, Safe to be me Why are some older people going back into ‘the closet’?

Sheri Kerr and Paul Welsh (Care Inspectorate inspector) talk about creating a positive and safe environment for LGBT+ people in care homes. Useful links: Proud to Care: LGBT and Dementia: A Guide for Health and  Social Care Providers LGBT+ Mental Health Audit Tool: A guide for mental health services and organisations to becoming more LGBT+ inclusive Age UK, Safe to be me Why are some older people going back into ‘the closet’?

Katy and David reflect on lessons learned through the course of the project and future steps. Useful links: Celebration presentation Age UK webinar recording

Katy and David share case studies related to staff practice in the use of when required psychoactive medicines and the benefit of care homes use of data over time for improvement. Katy and David are again joined Lotte Beaumont, care home manager.

Katy and David discuss the important role of care staff and clinicians reviewing the continued need for psychoactive medicines and share related case studies.  They are joined by Lotte Beaumont, manager of one of the care homes involved in the project.  

The theme of the case studies discussed in this episode is personal care.  Katy and David are again joined by Gareth Jenks, care home manager.

Katy and David set out the values and framework for their project, share case studies related to changes to the care home environment and discuss the impact this has for residents and staff involved.  They are joined by Gareth Jenks, manager of one of the care homes involved in the project.  

Katy Jenks, HC One Dementia Care Manager, Scotland and David Marshall, Senior Improvement Adviser (Pharmacy) at the Care Inspectorate, discuss the origins of a joint project looking at improving dementia care and reducing inappropriate use of psychoactive medicines in care homes and reflect on the concerns and importance of a care provider and regulator working together. Useful links: Review of psychoactive medicines in care homes for older people during the pandemic

Barbara Lawson and Marie McKerry (Care Inspectorate Chief Nurse) look at some of the considerations around infection prevention and control, and why essential visiting is important.   Useful links: National Infection Prevention and Control Manual The Care Inspectorate - Meaningful connection webpage  Scottish Government - Open with Care  New Health and Social Care Standards  Public Health Scotland 

Sheri Kerr and Gareth Hammond (Care Inspectorate Service Manager) highlight some considerations around supporting people living with dementia in a care home to remain connected.   Useful links: Care Inspectorate - Meaningful connection webpage  Care Inspectorate - Enriched model of psychological needs poster  Care Inspectorate - Come on in  The Hub - Guide for providers on personal planning for adults  The Hub - Dementia  The Bradford Wellbeing Profile   The Kings Fund - Is your care home dementia friendly?  Scottish Government - Coronavirus (COVID-19): living with dementia in care homes 

Sheri Kerr is joined by Nicky Cronin, the Care Inspectorate’s Senior Improvement Adviser for Technology Enabled Care. They discuss why technology has become increasingly important to support people’s human rights and the need for a person-centred approach to support meaningful connection.   Useful links: The Hub - Technology practice guide  The Hub - Guide for providers on personal planning for adults 

Sheri Kerr and Barbara Lawson explore what inspectors in adult services would look for when considering care and support around meaningful connection.   Useful links: The Hub - A quality framework for care homes for adults and older people  The Hub - Health and Social Care Standards  The Hub - Improvement support section   The Hub - Guide for providers on personal planning for adults  Meaningful connection - Self-evaluation tool

Barbara Lawson, Sheri Kerr and Marie Paterson (Chief Inspector for Adults Regulation at Care Inspectorate) discuss the values of connection and how the inspection process and ways of working support this. Useful links: Care Inspectorate - Meaningful connection webpage  Meaningful connection - Self-evaluation tool The Hub - Improvement support section The Hub - A quality framework for care homes for adults and older people   Scottish Government - Open with Care   New Health and Social Care Standards  Webinar on family carers as partners in care  Factsheet to accompany webinar on family carers as partners in care

Sheri Kerr is joined by Catharine Fletcher, who is a family carer and Care Inspectorate volunteer. Catharine shares her experiences and gives her views on what is important.   Useful links: Care Inspectorate - Meaningful connection webpage 

Barbara Lawson and Sheri Kerr discuss the importance of person-centred personal planning and how this can support meaningful connection.  Useful links: The Hub - Health and Social Care Standards  The Hub - Guide for providers on personal planning for adults  The Hub - A quality framework for care homes for adults and older people Care Inspectorate - Come on in  Mental Welfare Commission - Rights, risks, and limits to freedom

Barbara Lawson, and Ken Graham who moved into Glennie House Care Home during the pandemic. He shares his story and what is important to him to remain active as someone living in a care home.   Useful links: Guide for providers on personal planning  The Hub - Care about physical activity

Barbara Lawson and Louise Kelly from the Care About Physical Activity (CAPA) project discuss the importance of getting out and about to support wellbeing and connection. They explore ways to connect with nature, becoming aware of the seasons, the benefits of bringing the outside into the care home and including intergenerational opportunities.   Useful links: Care Inspectorate - Care about Physical Activity  Trellis Scotland Paths for All 

Barbara Lawson and Jenny Karimlar manager from Glennie House Care Home, explore death and dying and how services can support people living in care homes with the loss of a peer.   Useful links:  Guide for providers on personal planning for adults  Anticipatory care planning guidance 

Barbara Lawson and Sheri Kerr look at what research tells us about positive peer relationships in care homes, how services can create a culture of connection to enable friendships through intentional practices, such as know your neighbour, lounge and meal experiences, and how some barriers can be overcome through thoughtful personal planning and consideration.   Useful links:  Care Inspectorate - Meaningful connection webpage Meaningful connection - Literature review Meaningful connection - Engagement report Webinar on positive peer relationships  Factsheet to accompany webinar on positive peer relationships The Kings Fund - Is your care home dementia friendly?   Health and Social Care Standards  Guide for providers on personal planning for adults

Barbara Lawson and Dr Edel Roddy, My Home Life Facilitator, explore how meaningful connection can be enhanced by recognising opportunities to be present with someone, how connection can be enhanced for people living with advanced dementia.   Tools and resources can help people recognise everyday opportunities to be present and capture the moment of connection and emotion.  Useful links: My Home Life Charity resources  My Home Life Charity - A place in the fun  My Home Life Charity - lingo of connection  My Home Life Charity - rights made real  Hearts and Minds  Namaste Care  New Health and Social Care Standards for care homes  Care Inspectorate - Come on in 

Barbara Lawson speaks with Andrea Wyllie (CEO of Greenock Medical Aid Society) to find out how visiting was introduced and supported during the pandemic. Andrea shares the background to the human rights-based approach that influenced and ultimately supported all care homes to enable safe visiting during this time of crisis.   Useful links: New Health and Social Care Standards for care homes  Scottish care home team’s efforts to bring loved ones together during pandemic wins nursing accolade (qnis.org.uk)  Open with Care: supporting meaningful contact in adult care homes – principles 

Sheri Kerr and Cathy Asante (Scottish Human Rights Commission) discuss the importance of a human rights-based approach and how this can support meaningful connection for people who live in care homes.  Useful links: Scottish Human Rights website  Scottish Human Rights - Care about Rights  European Convention on Human Rights  Human Rights Act 1998  Webinar - A human rights based approach including the Health and Social Care Standards  Factsheet to accompany webinar on A human rights based approach including the Health and Social Care Standards  Scottish Human Rights - Human Rights Based Approach  Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities  Human Rights Bill Scotland consultation 

Barbara Lawson and Sheri Kerr focus on how family carers can be included as partners in care.   Useful links: Care Inspectorate - Meaningful connection webpage Meaningful connection - Literature review  Meaningful connection - Engagement report Meaningful connection - Self-evaluation tool  Webinar on family carers as partners in care Factsheet to accompany webinar on family carers as partners in care New Health and Social Care Standards for care homes Guide for providers on personal planning for adults Scottish Human Rights 

Sheri Kerr welcomes Natasha Hamilton from Care Homes Relatives Scotland to share the background to the Anne’s Law campaign.  Useful links:   Meaningful connection factsheet  Anne's Law petition  Anne's Law consultation information  Anne's Law consultation responses paper  New Health and Social Care Standards for care homes  Twitter – Care home relatives Scotland 

Barbara Lawson and Sheri Kerr introduce findings from their literature review on meaningful connection. This episode focuses on the impact social isolation and loneliness has on our physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing. Useful links:  Meaningful connection - Literature review Webinar on supporting meaningful connection Factsheet to accompany webinar on meaningful connection 

Barbara Lawson and Sheri Kerr introduce this podcast series and what the Anne’s Law project is about, how this will support connection for people living in adult and older people’s care homes.   Useful links: Meaningful connection - Literature review Meaningful connection - factsheet  Meaningful connection - Engagement report