Cost, staffing and independence of the Jersey Care Commission (FOI)

Request 693609182

I have questions about the cost, staffing and independence of the Jersey Care Commission (JCC):

1. I understand the JCC was launched in 2017. Between 2017-2024 how much has the JCC cost the taxpayer?

2. What is the budget for the JCC in 2025?

3. How many staff does the JCC employ? How many previously have worked for the Government of Jersey?

4. It was reported that the JCC will begin to inspect the General Hospital, Ambulance and Adult Mental Health Service in 2025. What dates will these be inspected? Are the standards for these departments available? In the Bailiwick Express on April 19th 2024, it was stated they would be available by the beginning of 2025?

5. Can you confirm that both the JCC Chief Inspector and Deputy Chief Inspector were both previously senior nurse managers for Health and Community Services?

6. Can you confirm that the JCC additionally employed a previous Senior Nurse Manager from the Health and Community Services (HCS) to develop work on the General Hospital standards and inspection process?

7. Can you confirm that the JCC employs the former Director of Adult Mental Health, HCS, to develop work on Adult Mental Health Inspection Standards?

8. Can you confirm the JCC employs former Government of Jersey social workers working on child and adult social work standards and inspections?

8. What assurance can be given to the public that despite the huge investment, the inspections are independent and impartial given Jersey is a small island, and JCC staff will have previous professional and social relationships with departments now being inspected?

9. Has the Health Minister investigated any alternative inspection approaches for the Ambulance, General Hospital, and Adult Mental Health Service, that may be more independent and economical than the JCC?

Response

1. 

The Jersey Care Commission was formally established on 1 January 2019.  The Commission’s annual accounts are published as part of its annual report.  Every annual report up to 2023 is already published on its website: Reports | Jersey Care Commission. Therefore Article 23 is applied.

Its 2024 annual report will be published shortly and include the information requested.  However, this can be provided here for information: 

Income (£453,394)

Staff £1,512,414

Non-Staff £615,435

TOTAL: £1,674,455

2.

The Care Commission’s Budget in 2025, excluding depreciation is: 

Income (£379,000)

Staff (£1,709,000)

Non-staff (£503,256)

TOTAL: £1,833,256

​3.

18 people are currently employed.12 people employed by the Jersey Care Commission previous held roles in the Government of Jersey.

4. 

The Commission is awaiting a Ministerial decision to lodge the amendments to the Regulation of Care Law. A public consultation on the single assessment framework has taken place, and following feedback, the board approves the final standards and will be published shortly.

5. 

The public has access to information that the Chief Inspector, who was a previous Senior Nurse, left the position in August 2020. The Deputy Chief Inspector left Health and Social Care in 2021.

6.

A Registered Nurse has been on secondment and has solely been working for the Commission to develop a publicly consulted Single Assessment Framework, working closely alongside the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Royal College of Psychiatry. 

7.

The individual’s previous title was Director of Mental Health (2004 – 2011), and Director of Older Peoples Services (2011-2017), and Policy lead for Mental Health Law and Capacity Law (2014 – 2018)

8.

The Commission employed external consultants to support drafting the Children’s Social Work Standards. The Commission employs a local regulation officer who is a registered social worker. 

9.

The Commission was established under Part 7, (Article 35) of the Regulation of Care (Jersey) Law 2014. This makes provision for a Health and Social Care Commission to be set up, specifies how Commissioners are appointed and sets out their duties and responsibilities. A Board of Commissioners oversees the work of the Commission. One is a Jersey resident and an experienced carer. All the other Commissioners live off the Island, cannot by Law have had a recent professional interest in health or social care in Jersey, and have relevant skills and experience in health, social care, regulation and inspection, relevant research, and public service. The Commission team comprises a Chief Inspector, a Deputy Chief Inspector, a Head of Business and Performance, Regulation Officers and Administrative Support staff. The integrity and impartiality of the Commission’s inspections are paramount, and the Commission has several safeguards in place to ensure independence despite Jersey’s small size.  

• External Oversight: All the Commission’s work is overseen by an Independent Board responsible for ensuring the integrity of the inspection process.  Meet the Commissioners | Jersey Care Commission
• Independent Expertise: For large or complex GOJ inspections, the Commission builds teams that include independent experts to bring external perspectives and maintain objectivity. Examples include the Royal College of Psychiatry working alongside the Commission to inspect CAMHS  RPT_CAMHS__20241128.pdf ​and inspecting children’s social work services. 
• Lead Inspector Independence: The Commission ensures that the lead inspector for large GOJ departments is always an external, independent professional, ensuring impartial oversight.
• Specialist External Inspectors: The Commission will employ external inspectors for specialist inspections of hospitals, ambulances, and mental health and collaborate with reputable organisations such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
• Conflict of Interest Register: The Commission maintains a robust Conflict of Interest Register to identify and mitigate potential biases. REG_OfInterestsBoardMembers_20250120.pdf​
• Code of Conduct: All inspectors adhere to a strict Code of Conduct, reinforcing ethical and professional standards. 12514-JCC-Guide-on-professional-conduct-PROOF4.pdf
  
• All inspectors have a professional registration and significant health and social care services background. All staff also adhere to States of Jersey Codes of Practice​  
• Published Standards: All inspections are conducted based on publicly consulted published standards.

Article applied

Article 23 - Information accessible to applicant by other means

(1) Information is absolutely exempt information if it is reasonably available to the applicant, otherwise than under this Law, whether or not free of charge.

(2) A scheduled public authority that refuses an application for information on this ground must make reasonable efforts to inform the applicant where the applicant may obtain the information.​