The Value of Audits in Social Care

What tangible value do audits add to social care services is a question we hear regularly. Many treat them as a tick-box exercise: another task that needs completing. Managers complete audits wanting to achieve the best outcomes possible to demonstrate their service is delivering high-quality and safe care. In other words: the audit outcome is more important than the audit process. 

However, for those looking to gain the most benefit from an audit, considering the process is as important as the outcomes achieved. Based on our experience undertaking audits for clients in the social care sector, here’s our points to delivering a successful audit.

Why audit?

First consider who is completing the audit. Is the designated person the most appropriate person to be completing it? Do they have the relevant experience and knowledge? These two questions are extremely important to consider before the audit process commences to ensure the best possible outcome.

You may also want to consider delegating responsibility for a specific audit to more than one qualified individual. This means that the same person is not completing it each time (something they may appreciate) and ensures more objectivity. For example: in some care homes we have worked with the infection prevention and control audit might be completed by a registered nurse on one occasion and then by the head of housekeeping when it next comes around. This enables the manager to review the same audit from differing perspectives.

For more information on The Value of Audits in Social Care talk to W&P Assessment and Training Centre