Quality frameworks and KQ7s
The primary purpose of our quality frameworks and key question 7 documents (KQ7) is to support services to self-evaluate their own performance. They are also used by our inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support. By setting out what we expect to see in high-quality care and support provision, it can help support improvement too.
The frameworks reflect Scotland’s Health and Social Care Standards, which are rights-based, person-led and outcome-focused and are relevant for care delivery, planning, commissioning, and assessment. They are also aligned to the appropriate legislation and relevant national good practice.
Each framework presents several quality indicators that sit under a series of key questions. Each quality indicator comes with two illustrations; one describes very good practice and the other describes weak practice.
We also include a scrutiny toolbox, which provides examples of the scrutiny actions we may use in evaluating the quality of provision, and a list of key practice documents that we think will help care services in their own improvement journey.
To download a copy of the framework and access the key practice documents, click on the relevant title below.
If you have any questions about these quality frameworks or toolkits, please email: methodology@careinspectorate.gov.scot
A quality framework for care homes for adults and older people
For use in self-evaluation, scrutiny, and improvement support. The primary purpose of a quality framework is to support services to evaluate their own performance. The same framework is then used by inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support.
A quality improvement framework to support self-evaluation for appropriate adult services in Scotland
This framework is for local authorities and their partners to support self-evaluation of appropriate adult services. It is designed to lead to improvement in services.
A quality framework for childcare agencies introducing and supplying childcare staff
The primary purpose of a quality framework is to support services to evaluate their own performance. The same framework is then used by inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of services.
A quality framework for daycare of children, childminding and school-aged childcare
The primary purpose of this quality framework is to support services to evaluate their own performance. It is then used by inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support. By setting out what we expect to see in a high-quality service, we can also help support improvement.
A quality framework for care homes for children and young people and schoolcare accommodation (special residential schools)
The primary purpose of this quality framework is to support services to evaluate their own performance. It is then used by inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support. By setting out what we expect to see in a high-quality service, we can also help support improvement.
Key question 7 for care homes for children and young people and schoolcare accommodation (special residential schools)
The primary purpose of this key question 7 is to support services to evaluate their own performance. It is then used by inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support. By setting out what we expect to see in a high-quality service, we can also help support improvement.
A quality framework for fostering, adoption and adult placement services
The primary purpose of our quality framework is to support services to self-evaluate their own performance. It is also used by our inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support. By setting out what we expect to see in high-quality care and support provision, it can help support improvement too.
A quality framework for support services (care at home, including supported living models of support)
For use in self-evaluation, scrutiny, and improvement support. The primary purpose of a quality framework is to support services to evaluate their own performance. The same framework is then used by inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support.
A quality framework for support services (not care at home)
For use in self-evaluation, scrutiny, and improvement support. The primary purpose of a quality framework is to support services to evaluate their own performance. The same framework is then used by inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support.
A quality framework for housing support services
For use in self-evaluation, scrutiny, and improvement support. The primary purpose of a quality framework is to support services to evaluate their own performance. The same framework is then used by inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support.
A quality framework for mainstream boarding schools and school hostels
The primary purpose of this quality framework is to support services to evaluate their own performance. It is then used by inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support. By setting out what we expect to see in a high-quality service, we can also help support improvement.
Key question 7 for mainstream boarding schools and school hostels
The primary purpose of this key question 7 is to support services to evaluate their own performance. It is then used by inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support. By setting out what we expect to see in a high-quality service, we can also help support improvement.
A quality framework for nurse agencies
For use in self-evaluation, scrutiny, and improvement support. The primary purpose of a quality framework is to support services to evaluate their own performance. The same framework is then used by inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support.
A quality framework for secure accommodation services
The primary purpose of this quality framework is to support services to evaluate their own performance. It is then used by inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support. By setting out what we expect to see in a high-quality service, we can also help support improvement.
Key question 7 for secure accommodation services
The primary purpose of this key question 7 is to support services to evaluate their own performance. It is then used by inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support. By setting out what we expect to see in a high-quality service, we can also help support improvement.
A quality framework for justice accommodation (offender accommodation) services
The primary purpose of the framework is to support services to self-evaluate their own performance. It will also be used by our inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support. By setting out what we expect to see in high-quality care and support provision, it can help support improvement too.
