Risk-based inspection prediction
RQIA should consider developing a risk-based way of predicting which services are in difficulty. It is well known that certain aspects of services tend to be associated with abuse: service users who are vulnerable, who have few communication skills; service users with behaviour that challenges; services with poorly trained staff, insufficient staff, poor staff management, high sickness levels and high use of agency staff. Every inspection in services for these vulnerable populations must include a line of enquiry focusing on the possibility of abuse. This would be informed by a live dashboard, which should include warning signs such as staff shortages, the high use of agency staff and peer-on-peer abuse, by way of example.
Response
Response Pending
Response
Response PendingNo government response recorded.
Progress Timeline
Report published 18 June 2026. No formal government response published. R2 requires DoH to indicate within six months which recommendations it accepts.