Using Accreditation Schemes to
Improve Dementia Care –
Gillian Flowers
Accommodation Solutions
Community Commissioning
Dementia Accreditation
• A look at the current scheme working
within Adult Care Service in Herts and how
a home can access it.
Background
• HCC’s accreditation scheme came into
being in 2006.
• Developed initially in partnership with
Quantum care
• Rolled out to the residential dementia
market only
• Only covers homes within Herts
• Linked to CQC standards
Aims of scheme
• To recognise the specialisation of
dementia care.
• To reward best practice
• Increase the standards of dementia care in
county
Key Features of the Scheme
• Must have a registered manager, with a
qualification in dementia care
• Staff ratios at least 1:5
• Care Staff trained to NVQ level
• All staff having at least awareness training
How to access the scheme
• Recommendation by the monitoring
officers.
• Apply to Accommodation Solutions at
Herts CC.
• acscontractsupportteam@hertscc.gov.uk
Accessing the Scheme
• A pack will be sent out.
• Preparation work from the pack will be
assessed by the monitoring officers.
• A full inspection visit will take place.
• Award given soon after.
• If unsuccessful, 6 months before
reapplication can be made.
Proposed next steps
• Expand the scheme to include nursing
dementia
• Suggest that dementia placements are
only made in homes with a dementia
accreditation
• A review of the rewards incentive
• Review of scheme in relation to CQC’s
proposed kite-mark scheme
Further Information
• Accommodation Solutions, Farnham
House, Stevenage
Thank you for listening