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Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Statutory Notifications Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that {{org_field_name}} complies with Care Inspectorate Scotland regulations regarding statutory notifications. It sets out how we identify, report, and manage incidents that require notification to regulatory bodies, ensuring that statutory obligations are met in a timely and effective manner.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All staff members, including management, care coordinators, and domiciliary care workers.
• Notifications to Care Inspectorate Scotland, Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), Local Authority Safeguarding Teams, Public Health Scotland, and other relevant bodies.
• Any event or occurrence requiring statutory notification, as per The Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001, and SSSC Codes of Practice.

3. Legal and Regulatory Requirements

• Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/210).
• National Care Standards: Care at Home.
• Care Inspectorate Guidance on Records and Notifications.
• SSSC Codes of Practice for Employers and Social Service Workers.

4. Responsibilities

• The Registered Manager is responsible for ensuring compliance with notification requirements.
• All staff members must report incidents that may require notification immediately to management.
• The Compliance Team monitors notifications to ensure regulatory compliance.

5. Types of Statutory Notifications

The following incidents must be reported to Care Inspectorate Scotland within the prescribed timescales:

5.1 Accidents, Injuries, and Deaths

• Any serious injury to a person we support.
• Unexpected deaths of a person receiving care.
• Hospital admissions due to serious incidents related to care provision.

5.2 Adult and Child Protection Concerns

• Allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation (physical, emotional, financial, or sexual).
• Any incident referred to Local Authority Adult Protection or Child Protection Teams.
• Any unexplained absence of a person we support from their home.

5.3 Staffing Issues

• Dismissal of a staff member due to misconduct affecting care quality.
• Any referral to the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) regarding a staff member’s fitness to practice.

5.4 Infectious Disease and Outbreaks

• Outbreaks of infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19, norovirus, flu).
• Reporting cases to Public Health Scotland as required.

5.5 Service Disruptions and Failures

• Unplanned closure or interruption to service delivery.
• Failure of essential services (e.g., power, water, heating, communications).
• Any evacuation due to fire or other safety risks.

5.6 Restraint and Interventions

• Any use of physical restraint or restrictive interventions.
• Incidents where a person we support was at significant risk due to intervention.

6. Notification Procedures

6.1 Incident Reporting

1. Immediate Response: Staff must report incidents requiring notification to management as soon as they occur.
2. Internal Recording: The incident must be logged in the Incident and Notification Log.
3. Manager Review: The Registered Manager reviews the report and determines if statutory notification is required.

6.2 Notification to Care Inspectorate Scotland

1. Notifications must be submitted within 24 hours of the incident where required.
2. Use Care Inspectorate’s eForms system for submission.
3. Maintain records of all notifications and responses from regulatory bodies.

6.3 Follow-Up Actions

• Investigations: Where necessary, an internal investigation will be conducted.
• Corrective Measures: Any actions taken will be documented and reviewed.
• Feedback to Staff and People We Support: Updates will be provided where appropriate.

7. Training and Awareness

• All staff receive annual training on statutory notifications and incident reporting.
• Managers and supervisors undergo enhanced training to ensure compliance.
• Regular audits will be conducted to assess adherence to notification procedures.

8. Record Keeping and Compliance Monitoring

• All notification records will be securely stored in compliance with GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.
• Quarterly compliance audits will be carried out to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
• Findings from audits will be reported to senior management for review and action.

9. Related Policies

This policy should be read alongside:

• Safeguarding Policy
• Incident Reporting and Investigation Policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Infection Prevention and Control Policy

10. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if changes in legislation or regulatory requirements occur. {{org_field_name}} is committed to continuous improvement in how statutory notifications are managed to ensure compliance and the highest standards of care.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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