Safeguarding for Managers and Safeguarding Leads

Thanks for the feedback about last week’s post during Safeguarding Adults Week.

As we were preparing for the previous blog post, it sparked an idea and so we wanted to use this week’s post to start a conversation. At the end of last week’s post, we shared that we are working on a new course: Safeguarding for Managers and Safeguarding Leads and part of that course will obviously include notifications to CQC.

One of the critical elements of Lead to Succeed Module 5 is exactly that – sharing information with CQC and sharing regularly. Given that the new version of CQC inspection is probably not going to include a face-to-face inspection, the data you collect and share with CQC and the frequency with which you share it will become more important than ever.

CQC – Intelligent Monitoring

CQC use something called “intelligent monitoring” to risk assess providers to ascertain where they {CQC} need to focus their time and effort. One of the elements they have been very clear about in the Transitional Regulatory Approach is that their {CQC} PURPOSE “is to help providers improve”.

The idea behind intelligent monitoring is to collect as much data as possible, from as many different sources as possible and then “crunch” that data using an algorithm to identify those providers that are a higher risk and need support to improve from CQC.

If CQC needs data to make intelligent monitoring work, then maybe we could do the same or at least something similar.

Create your own Safeguarding algorithm

If you could create your own safeguarding algorithm, in theory, you would be able to ensure the quality and safety of the care your service provides in a similar fashion to CQC. In order to do this, you need to think about what an algorithm is. Something that is very handy to know as they impact our lives every time we use the internet or deal with CQC.

An algorithm is simply a way of looking at data, calculating and coming up with a suggestion or prediction. The incredible thing about technology is that the amount of data and types of data that can be included in this calculation are truly mind-boggling. Each piece of data that is used in the calculation will have a sweet spot. With just the right number to positively impact the algorithm. Let’s use safeguarding referrals as an example:

• Too little: No referrals
• Just right: Genuine concerns are referred
• Too many: Referrals are constant

It doesn’t stop there though. The algorithm then includes the outcome of the referrals:

• Genuine referral
• Unnecessary referral

And so it goes on as layer upon layer of data and analysis are applied. Next looking at who first made the referral. If it came from a family member and your service does not make a corresponding referral, then this will negatively impact the risk calculation against you.

Once you have an idea of what data is being fed into the algorithm and how it is being processed, then you have a chance to start to positively impact the calculation by working towards the data sweetspot.

This doesn’t stop at Safeguarding. There are many things that will impact your risk levels. This list we came up with will of course include some things you are already doing.

Monitoring of:

• Incidents
• Complaints
• Near misses
• Feedback from People we Support
• Feedback from families
• Co-production meetings
• Missed medications
• Missed calls / visits
• Staff turnover (exit interviews)
• Performance issues
• Safeguarding referrals
• Tracking activity
• Streams of information
• Encourage people to contribute to CQC website using comments form
• Not all feedback will be positive
• How often do you communicate with CQC?
• What do you communicate with CQC?

As you look down the list, think about what information do you share, how often, what are the numbers?

So in the new normal or the digital era, we want to hear from you! What else could we feed into the algorithm and therefore how much more information can we develop and share?

Thank you in advance for joining in the conversation and we will endeavour to reflect what we learn in the new Safeguarding for Managers course, which we are going to make available free to everyone, so please do share your thoughts and ideas, because everyone will benefit!