The Commission for Social Care Inspection's Quality Rating Review Service: Fair or foul?

Abstract

Abstract The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) has consistently refused to accept that there should be independent scrutiny of its powers to quality rate care providers. While it is difficult to question the rationale or even the ability of CSCI to issue quality ratings, there remain concerns within the sector about its ability to do this consistently and fairly. The largest single issue raised in consultation was the consistency of inspection and the skills and competencies of inspectors. CSCI has now introduced the Quality Rating Review Service (QRRS) as part of its quality assurance strategy. This paper considers whether this system can work effectively by critically assessing its procedural limitations and its lack of independence. The paper concludes that to overcome the defects within QRRS, providers should be entitled to appeal unfair quality ratings to the Care Standards Tribunal.