Help with CQC fit person interview

I had my CQC fit person interview yesterday and was a bundle of nerves. I had been researching on the net trying to find out what questions they would ask me, trying to familiarise myself with the Essential Standards and the Health and Social Care Act 2008. In addition, I took out the homes statement of purpose and re-read the whole thing over to ensure I knew it like the back of my hand. There was limited information on the web with regards to the fit person’s interview and nothing that took the new regulations into account. So here are my thoughts and rants to help those of you who are embarking on the role of the Registered Manager.

I have to say that although I prepared for the fit person’s interview the day before, the inspector who interviewed me made me feel at ease and it felt more like a conversation than a set of questions.

Although she did have an interview sheet, she did say that it wasn’t a job interview and she was just trying to establish if I was sound enough to carry out the responsibilities of a Registered Manager which somewhat relaxed me.

I think that if you have been a care home manager before, you will have the knowledge and experience to carry you through the interview.

Below is just a rough guide of the questions that we tackled and my answers to them to help you.

Q. Can you tell me a little bit about your home?

(I gave the inspector a brief run down of the home and the staff ratios etc.)

Q. You have been managing the home now for several months, can you tell me what changes you have made and how this has affected the home?

(I gave the inspector an outline of the changes that I had made for example: major changes to the staff units which at first was not well received although it was for the benefit of the home as a whole. There were staff who had resigned or were about to resign at the time that I had started and therefore I had to look at the staff compliment and staff skills and competencies in order to provide a good skill mix amongst the staff. I talked about how this affected the residents and the relatives).

We somehow got onto the topic of abuse (I do tend to waffle) but this answered a set of questions without her having to ask me them.

Q. Can you talk me through the process of how you report abuse?

In the case of alleged abuse, I would notify the local safeguarding authority, the individual’s social worker, the police if necessary, and also inform CQC through the statutory notification which is Regulation 18.

We also talked about person centred planning, deprivation of liberty and best interest. I gave an example of an individual at my home where best interest is used as we were depriving that individual of the right to go out by himself as he had no road safety awareness. Though he was able to access the community when supervised. (Again, although not asked the question, this tackled the topic around mental capacity).

Q. Can you talk me through a learning experience that you have encountered at your home?

I gave her an example of a meeting that I had with all my direct reports and one staff member had made another staff member very upset. On reflection I could have tackled the situation in a different manner but this was a learning curve for me.

I also discussed with the inspector issues around medication and how I ensure that medication is administered safely.

I referred to the medication policy and procedures and the fact that we do monthly audits on the medication to pick up any anomalies. If there are any, an action plan is put into place to ensure that the anomaly is rectified. I also ensure that staff are trained on the safe handling of medication, checking of medicines is carried out by two members of staff.

Q. How do you ensure that residents views are taken into account?

By holding regular resident meetings, ensuring that the complaints procedure is robust and adhered to. By putting an action plan together if the complaint is substantiated in order to ensure that the issue or complaint has been rectified or met. Holding manager surgeries which I have on a Thursday afternoon although I do walk around the building and get to talk to the residents and relatives to ensure that they are satisfied with the care that is being provided. We are also recruiting for a resident and relative representative within the home whereby relatives or residents can go to the specific person to discuss their concern should they feel that they are unable to talk to a member of the staff team. Lastly resident surveys on their home, actives that are being provided, food and quality of care. It’s not just about the collection of the surveys but what you do with that information. Hence an action plan would be formulated to carry out the expressed opinions of the residents as far as reasonably practicable.

The inspector did say that she would be recommending me for registration which made me smile from ear to ear.

I dare say that the above is exhaustive but hopefully it will give you a heads up on the process of the CQC fit persons interview.