Social Services Inspectorate
Why We Inspect
We inspect services provided by the statutory and independent sectors.
The purposes of inspections are to promote:
- the quality of social work and social care services for those who require, or need them;
- professional values and the development of standards;
- compliance with departmental and statutory requirements;
- the equitable distribution of services within Northern Ireland;
- the identification of gaps in existing provision and initiatives to remedy these;
and to report
- to Government departments, statutory, voluntary, private agencies and to users and carers, on standards of service, whether they achieve best value for money and how effective they are in meeting the needs of those who need and use them.
We
carry out 6 types of Inspection:
- Thematic Inspection
Inspectors assess and report on a particular aspect of social work or contribution by personal social services and criminal justice agencies. - Total Inspection
Inspectors assess and report on all of the Board's or Trust's social work services. We also assess and report on all of the services provided by the Training Schools and Probation Service. - Facility Inspection
Inspectors assess and report on the service provided in a particular facility or facilities to a specific client group. - Evaluation of Voluntary Organisations
Inspectors evaluate and report on the services provided by voluntary organisations which are grant aided by the Department. - Investigations
Inspectors undertake investigative work commissioned by the Secretary of State, Ministers, Permanent Secretary, Chief Executive or the Chief Inspector. - Registration and Inspection Units
The Inspectorate jointly inspects these units with the Nursing, Midwifery and Advisory Group and Estate Services Division for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
All
reports are checked for factual accuracy with the provider of service before publication and issue.
We do not directly handle complaints from the public or consider appeals
against Board and Trust decisions.
