Statement of purpose
Further to my last article on the understanding of the requirements of CQC Registration. You will recall that I suggested that potential providers may have some difficulties with understanding the requirements of the Statement of purpose.
What is the statement of purpose?
The Statement of Purpose is a document that describes the purpose and function of the service that you wish to provide. It should be designed to ensure that people who use the service, families and all stakeholders have a common understanding of the nature of the service, and anyone reading it should be easily able to understand and identify the service provided.
CQC says “A statement of purpose for a business describes what you do, where you do it and who you do it for.”
Every service provider is required by law to have a statement of purpose for each of the regulated activities they carry on. If you carry on more than one regulated activity you can either have separate statements or combine them into one.
By law, in accordance with Regulation 12 and Schedule 3 of the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009 (as amended), the statement of purpose must include:
• The aims and objectives of the service provider in carrying on the regulated activity. • The kinds of services provided for the purposes of the carrying on of the regulated activity and the range of service users’ needs which those services are intended to meet.
Aims and Objectives
The aims and Objectives of your service may depend on the kinds of service you choose to operate. However, they should concur with the CQC Fundamental Standards. You may wish to include in your aims and objectives some of the following:
Our service objectives are: 1 Describe your philosophy of care (A short summary that outlines your values and ethos that underpins your service) 2 A commitment to high quality services 3 A commitment to person centered care 4 Involvement of service users in the service 5 To ensure the privacy and dignity of service users 6 To safeguard service users from abuse 7 To ensure that all information received or held on behalf of service users is treated confidentially. 8 To recognize the service user’s diversity, ensuring religious, cultural, racial and gender identities are respected, and the adoption of a non-discriminatory approach. 9 To ensure service users are provided with information concerning the services provided, and any changes to those services which may affect their well-being. 10 To ensure that service users heath and care needs are met by competent trained staff.
We aim to achieve our service objectives through: • Management and staff commitment to high quality services • Putting person centered care at the forefront of the services we deliver. • The provision of appropriate resources to meet the needs of service users. • The employment of competent, well trained management and staff. • Following policies and procedures that comply to Fundamental standards and CQC requirements. • Providing accessible and updated information to staff and service users. • Encouraging service users to be as independent as possible in line with their risk assessments, and our responsibilities for their care. • Listening to service users through person centered plan reviews and satisfaction surveys. • Planned monitoring and auditing of our services.
Kinds of service You will need to state here the kind of service you are going to provide: • Adults over 65+ • Younger adults • Domiciliary care • Supported living • Learning disabilities • Mental Health Etc.
Range of service users’ needs
You will need to state who the service is to be provided for. For example: Frail and vulnerable adults • People with dementia • Mental health problems • Physical disabilities • Sensory impairment • Illness (including end of life care) • Adults who are recovering from illness • Adults with Learning Difficulties (excluding those assessed with specific challenging behaviour)
These lists are not intended to cover all aspects of the registration process but rather an attempt to improve understanding of what the Care Quality Commission are looking for.
Albert Cook Albert Cook BA, MA & Fellow Charted Quality Institute Managing Director Bettal Quality Consultancy