The Commission for Social Care Inspection (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) Regulations 2004

Frequency of inspections

6.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (5), the CSCI shall arrange for premises which are used as an establishment, or for the purposes of an agency, to be inspected—

(a) in the case of a care home or children’s home, a minimum of twice in every 12 month period; and

(b) in any other case, a minimum of once in every 12 month period.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4), the CSCI shall arrange for premises which are used for the purposes of a local authority fostering service to be inspected once in every 12 month period.

(3) In the case of an establishment or agency, carried on by a person other than an existing provider, which is a care home or a children’s home and in respect of which a person is registered for the first time—

(a) between 1st April and 30th September in a 12 month period, only one inspection is to be carried out in that period;

(b) between 1st October and 31st March in a 12 month period, no inspection shall be required in that period.

(4) In the case of an establishment or agency, carried on by a person other than an existing provider or a home mentioned in paragraph (3), in respect of which a person is registered for the first time in a 12 month period, no inspection shall be required in that period.

(5) Any inspection referred to in paragraphs (1) or (2) may be unannounced.

(6) In this regulation “12 month period” means a period commencing on 1st April in any year and ending on 31st March in the following year.