Quality care regulation a "priority" for Scotland's First Minister and Care Inspectorate

Holyrood Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, has attended a ceremony in Dundee to recognise 40 Care Inspectorate staff who have achieved the pioneering Regulation of Care Award (RoCA), the first professional qualification in regulation available.

Since the award was made attainable in 2006, 300 inspectors have successfully completed the qualification. With the development of a new award now in progress to “shape the next generation of care inspectors”, the current batch of professionals will be the last to obtain this particular accreditation.

Speaking at Dundee’s Apex Hotel, Nicola Sturgeon praised the work of all those involved: “The real stars of the show are this year’s students for their hard work in undertaking the programme, and in achieving the Award.

“I want to take this opportunity to pay personal tribute to these professionals who are so directly involved in ensuring that our most vulnerable citizens receive quality care and support.”

The minister also reaffirmed her support for the Care Inspectorate: “The last 12 months has seen great changes for the Care Inspectorate after it was set up in April 2011 as the new single scrutiny and improvement regulator for care and children’s services in Scotland.

“Improving care for older people is a personal priority for me and, within their wider remit, the Care Inspectorate is continuing to play a key role in ensuring that we do well by every older person on every occasion in every setting.”

The RoCA award is achieved by distance learning and developed by the Care Inspectorate in collaboration with the Scottish Social Services Council and the Cambridge-based Anglia Ruskin University.

Committed to the ongoing improvement of care regulation, Care Inspectorate chair professor Frank Clark said: “The achievement of all the graduates is a shining example of how the Care Inspectorate, as Scotland’s national regulator, is contributing to driving up standards of care in Scotland.

“We are committed to driving up quality through a qualified, confident workforce. All staff undertaking this qualification have shown their strong commitment to developing their skills and enhancing their profession and this will make a real difference to services across Scotland.”

Image: 25 APR RoCA Graduates; issued on behalf of the Care Inspectorate by the Holyrood Partnership