Independent File Review
Independent File Review
What does Independent File Review cover?
Number & frequency of Independent File Reviews:
Current timetable for staff
Independent File Review procedure and records:
Corrective Action
Information from Independent File Reviews
Date of last Review.
File Review Checklist
Independent File Review
Independent file review is used by the organisation to audit the overall quality of advice and case management. This is achieved by reviewing a sample of case records for every advice worker in the organisation.Independent file review is not the same as checking case records, which is part of supervision. Independent file review considers the whole of the case record, and is not restricted to the most recent contact or issue. Back to top
What does Independent File Review cover?
The sample for each worker includes all the types of advice work which he or she does: ?one offs?; cases where the adviser takes some action on behalf of the client and any casework.Any person carrying out the review will consider both quality of advice and case management issues. If no one is available with suitable experience of advice then they will concentrate on reviewing procedural aspects of the case file. Where a case file has been opened, quality of advice and case management issues will be considered from the date when the client first saw the adviser to the point that the case has reached at the date of the review.
The assessment will be recorded on the File review form: Back to top
Number & frequency of Independent File Reviews:
The number and frequency of these reviews is determined with reference to each advice worker's average caseload, the advice worker's experience and known standard of performance. The number and frequency can be varied as the worker develops however a sample should be reviewed at least every three months for every worker involved in front line work after training is completed. Back to topCurrent timetable for staff
Staff MemberReviewer?s name
Number of case reviews
Frequency
?one off? cases ongoing cases
Worker One Trustee 4 4 Quarterly Back to top
Independent File Review procedure and records:
Files should be selected by the reviewer who will normally be the line manager of the worker. This will establish the independence of the review.Whether a piece of ?one off? advice or an ongoing case, the case sheet must be marked to show that the review has been carried out and the result of the review recorded on the file review form and filed in the central Independent File Review record. Back to top
Corrective Action
If the Independent File Review demonstrates that there is a need for corrective action it must be carried out within a reasonable time. It must be clear from the case record and the file review record form that the action required by the review has been carried out. Back to topInformation from Independent File Reviews
Results of Independent File Reviews must be fed back to the Adviser and considered as part of supervision and appraisal. This is an important tool in the course of training as it provides regular feedback on how a new worker is developing.The central record is reviewed by the manager annually to identify any trends. This information is used to inform the review of service performance by the Organisation as a whole. Back to top
