Care governance is a framework through which organisations are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment in which excellence in care will flourish.

It covers the organisation’s systems and processes for monitoring services and provides a route for accounting for the quality of services to the governing body and applies to all commissioned services, both in health, the independent sector and third sector.

The core values of care governance are:

• Continuous improvement of services, care and support. 
• The service user experience is the central focus in decision making, meeting their needs and aspirations and keeping them informed.
• Commitment to quality, which makes certain that all staff are up to date in their practice, are expertly supervised and develop an environment where learning and tackling discrimination is built into everyday practice.
• Commitment to equality and diversity.
• Openness to share and report mistakes, errors and adverse effects of intervention as well as a commitment to learn from them.  

These core values ensure that:

• Service users are given high quality care and support and that the County Council respects the independence, choice and dignity and privacy of service users and employees.
• The working environment in safe and secure, and employees are valued.
• The organisation supports employees  and encourages input even when difficult or controversial issues are raised.
• Employees will be supported to develop skills to deliver best care practice.  

In Cumbria Adult Social Care, a specialist Care Governance Team has been established. This comprises:

• Safeguarding
• Representations and Complaints
• Knowledge Management
• Workforce Development
• Health and Safety