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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Compliance with the Care Act 2014 Policy

1. Purpose

This policy sets out how {{org_field_name}} complies with the Care Act 2014 to ensure that the people we support receive high-quality, person-centred care that upholds their rights, dignity, and independence. It outlines how we implement the Act’s principles in our daily operations, ensuring legal compliance and best practice in adult social care. This policy also aligns with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (Fundamental Standards) and sets out how we evidence compliance through CQC’s Single Assessment Framework, including the 5 key questions (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-led) and relevant quality statements.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, and contractors working within {{org_field_name}} who provide or manage care services to adults with support needs. It outlines their responsibilities in ensuring that the care provided is legally compliant, effective, and tailored to individual needs.

3. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy must be implemented alongside the following legislation, regulations and statutory guidance (as amended):

• Care Act 2014 and the Care and Support Statutory Guidance (including wellbeing, prevention, personalisation, integration, information and advice, safeguarding, carers’ rights, and independent advocacy).
• Health and Social Care Act 2008 and the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (“Fundamental Standards”), including—where applicable to our regulated activities—requirements on person-centred care, dignity and respect, consent, safe care and treatment, safeguarding from abuse and improper treatment, meeting nutritional and hydration needs, premises and equipment, complaints, good governance, staffing, fit and proper persons, duty of candour, and display of ratings.
• Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment approach, including the Single Assessment Framework and the 5 key questions (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-led) and associated quality statements that we use to evidence compliance.
• Any other relevant law and guidance that applies to our service model (e.g., mental capacity and consent, equality and human rights, data protection/confidentiality, and safeguarding/DBS arrangements) as set out in linked organisational policies.

4. Key Principles of the Care Act 2014

{{org_field_name}} ensures that all care and support delivered aligns with the following fundamental principles of the Care Act 2014:

a. Promoting Well-Being

• The well-being of the people we support is at the core of our services. Well-being encompasses personal dignity, autonomy, physical and mental health, emotional well-being, economic security, and social inclusion.
• Our staff are trained to recognise and uphold these elements of well-being in every aspect of care provision.
• We ensure that people we support have full access to information regarding their care and can make informed decisions about their support plans.
• Staff actively promote opportunities for meaningful activities, community participation, and personal growth.

b. Prevention of Needs for Care and Support

• Preventative care is embedded in our service model to reduce, delay, or prevent the development of care needs.
• We use early intervention strategies, including health promotion, community engagement, and proactive care planning, to maintain independence and avoid unnecessary reliance on long-term care.
• Our team members receive ongoing training to identify early signs of declining health and implement appropriate support measures.
• We work closely with local authorities, health professionals, and community services to develop preventive care strategies tailored to each individual.

c. Person-Centred Care and Support Planning

• Every person we support undergoes a comprehensive, collaborative needs assessment that includes input from family members, carers, and advocates where appropriate.
• We tailor all care plans to individual needs, preferences, and aspirations, ensuring that their voice is central in decision-making.
• Regular care plan reviews ensure evolving needs are met, and adjustments are made in a timely manner.
• We ensure that care and treatment choices are clearly communicated and that people we support understand their options fully.
• Staff are trained in active listening, communication techniques, and advocacy support to enhance person-centred approaches.

d. Integration and Partnership Working

• {{org_field_name}} actively collaborates with NHS services, local authorities, housing providers, advocacy groups, and community organisations to ensure a holistic and coordinated approach to care.
• We work within multi-disciplinary teams to develop and implement integrated support plans, ensuring smooth transitions between services.
• Our partnership approach ensures that people receive appropriate care at the right time, minimising disruptions and improving outcomes.

e. Safeguarding Adults from Abuse and Neglect

• Safeguarding is a core element of our service. We have a robust Safeguarding Policy in place that provides clear guidance on how to prevent, identify, and report abuse.
• Our staff are trained to recognise all forms of abuse, including physical, emotional, financial, sexual, neglect, and discriminatory abuse.
• Any safeguarding concerns are reported immediately following our safeguarding protocols, with appropriate referrals made to local safeguarding teams.
• We conduct risk assessments and implement safeguarding plans to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of those in our care.
• We maintain clear records of safeguarding incidents, investigations, and actions taken to demonstrate accountability and compliance.

f. Eligibility, Fairness, and Transparency

• We apply the Care Act 2014 eligibility criteria fairly to ensure that access to services is transparent and based on assessed need.
• Individuals are provided with clear, accessible information about their rights, service options, and the appeals process.
• Our approach ensures equity and non-discriminatory practices in care provision.
• Staff are trained in assessment procedures and eligibility criteria to ensure consistency in service allocation.

g. Carers’ Rights and Support

• Recognising the critical role that carers play, we provide support services tailored to their needs, including respite care, emotional support, and access to resources.
• We actively involve carers in care planning and review processes, ensuring that their views and needs are considered.
• Carers are provided with training and information to enhance their ability to provide support effectively while maintaining their own well-being.

h. Complaints, Feedback, and Continuous Improvement

• We maintain an open and transparent complaints procedure that allows individuals to raise concerns without fear of discrimination or retaliation.
• All complaints are investigated thoroughly and used as learning opportunities to improve our services.
• We encourage regular feedback through surveys, service user meetings, and family engagement initiatives.
• Findings from complaints and feedback are reviewed at management level and used to inform service improvements and staff training.
• We ensure that all service improvements are communicated to the people we support and their families, reinforcing our commitment to continuous development.

Duty of Candour

We comply with Regulation 20 (Duty of Candour) by acting openly and transparently with people who use services and any relevant person acting lawfully on their behalf. Where a notifiable safety incident occurs, we will:

1. Inform the person and/or relevant person as soon as reasonably practicable.
2. Provide a truthful account of all facts we know at the time.
3. Offer an apology.
4. Keep the person updated on the investigation, findings, and actions taken.
5. Maintain a written record of all communications, decisions, and actions.

i. Information, Advice and Accessible Communication

We ensure people we support (and, where appropriate, their families/representatives) receive timely, accurate and accessible information about their rights, choices, care arrangements, and how to raise concerns. Information is provided in a format that meets the person’s communication needs (for example: easy read, large print, translation, interpretation, pictorial formats, or other reasonable adjustments). We record what information was provided, when it was provided, the format used, and how we checked the person’s understanding. Where the person requires support to understand or express their wishes, we involve appropriate communication support and/or an advocate in line with their needs and preferences.

j. Independent Advocacy (Care Act 2014 – Section 67)

Where a person (or carer) is entitled to independent advocacy during assessment, care planning, review or safeguarding processes, we actively support access by: facilitating contact with the local authority and/or advocacy provider; enabling private conversations with advocates; sharing relevant information lawfully and proportionately; and ensuring staff cooperate with advocacy involvement. Staff understand that independent advocacy is arranged by the local authority where the person would otherwise have substantial difficulty being involved in the process and has no appropriate individual to support and represent them.

5. Roles and Responsibilities

• Registered Manager: Responsible for overall compliance with this policy and ensuring CQC standards are upheld.
• All Staff: Expected to apply the principles of the Care Act 2014 in their daily practice, attend required training, and adhere to safeguarding protocols.
• Safeguarding Lead: Oversees safeguarding procedures and ensures that any concerns are managed appropriately.
• Carers and Advocates: Integral to care planning and decision-making processes, ensuring the voices of those we support are heard and respected.

6. CQC Fundamental Standards – How We Evidence Compliance

In addition to Care Act duties, we meet and evidence the Fundamental Standards under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 by ensuring the following are in place and consistently applied:

• Person-centred care and treatment: Care plans reflect assessed needs and personal outcomes, are co-produced with the person (and others they want involved), are reviewed at agreed intervals and whenever needs change, and changes are acted upon without delay.
• Dignity, respect and privacy: Staff protect dignity in all interactions, including privacy during personal care, respect for personal space and belongings, and cultural, religious, and lifestyle preferences. People are supported to make day-to-day choices and maintain independence.
• Consent and capacity: Care and support are delivered with valid consent. Where capacity is in doubt, staff follow our mental capacity and decision-making procedures, record capacity assessments as required, and document best-interest decisions when applicable. People are supported to make decisions wherever possible.
• Safe care and treatment: Risks are assessed, reduced, and reviewed; medicines are managed safely; infection prevention and control measures are implemented; incidents and near misses are reported, investigated and learned from; and actions are recorded and monitored to completion.
• Safeguarding: Safeguarding concerns are recognised, responded to promptly, escalated without delay, and managed in line with safeguarding procedures. We keep clear, accurate records of concerns, actions taken, referrals, outcomes, and learning.
• Complaints: Concerns and complaints are welcomed, handled fairly and promptly, responded to within timescales, and used to improve services. We analyse themes and trends and record resulting actions and improvements.
• Good governance: We maintain effective quality monitoring, audits, oversight, and service improvement plans. Governance arrangements ensure issues are identified early, risks are managed, learning is embedded, and actions are tracked to completion.
• Staffing: Staffing levels, skill mix, and competencies meet the assessed needs of the people we support. Recruitment is safe; training, supervision, competency checks, and appraisal processes evidence staff capability and safe practice.
• Duty of candour: Where a notifiable safety incident occurs, we follow our duty of candour procedure, including open communication, apology, investigation, outcome reporting, and written record keeping.

We structure our internal evidence and quality monitoring in line with CQC’s 5 key questions (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-led) and the quality statements under the Single Assessment Framework.

7. Related Policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with:

• SL07 – Person-Centred Care Policy
• SL08 – Dignity and Respect Policy
• SL09 – Consent to Care Policy
• SL13 – Safeguarding Adults from Abuse and Improper Treatment Policy
• SL16 – Health and Safety at Work Policy
• SL30 – Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy
• SL42 – Communication and Engagement with Service Users and Families Policy

8. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislative changes, CQC requirements, or organisational needs necessitate an update. This policy will also be reviewed immediately where CQC updates its assessment methodology (including changes to the Single Assessment Framework quality statements) or where guidance affecting Fundamental Standards compliance changes in a way that impacts supported living services. Any revisions will be communicated to all staff, ensuring continued compliance and best practice in line with the Care Act 2014.

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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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