Q&As about the Design Audit Service

This service independently assesses the design of environments provided for people with dementia. The types of services that can be assessed range from care homes, medical centres, outpatient clinics, hospital wards, day services and other environments people with dementa use to receieve support.  A pair of trained auditors will visit the building and carry out a detailed audit of all areas used by people with dementia using the ‘Design for People with Dementia Audit Tool’. This tool has been specifically developed to rate the design of a building against evidenced based research on 'dementia friendly design'.

 

It is helpful to advise staff and residents that the auditors are coming and to seek permission for us to view a bedroom and associated private spaces. The auditors will need to view space and places that people with dementia journey from and to as well as communal areas. The auditors will need to meet with a member of your team on the day of the visit for about ½ an hour before the audit starts. They will be the designated point of contact throughout the visit and would, of course, be most welcome to accompany the auditors throughout the visit. The auditors will want to find out about the building and its use and any information about plans to change how part(s) of the building may be used in the future. They will also take photographs of key features. They will not include any people in the photographs. All of this information will assist the quality of the assessment process and focus of the subsequent report. In advance of the day if any drawing of the building or a fire safety floor plan can be provided this will enhance the quality of the visit.

 

Following the visit a detailed report will be produced after 1 month. The auditors’ report will provide feedback on areas of design in the building and how they rate against the audit tool. The report will suggest any areas for improvement and provide a rating of the building. The report will be written to allow you to make decisions on any changes you might want to make to the building. If the building does receive a rating of Bronze, Silver or Gold you will receive a certificate for the University of Stirling Dementia Services Development Centre that can be displayed for 3 years to recognise this achievement.

The content of the design audit report will be the property of the organisation commissioning this. 

 

Yes. Changes within 6 months of receiving the report will be taken in to consideration toward a revision of your rating and certification awarded or revised to reflect these changes.

 

Use our online contact form or call our consultancy service on 0207 377 2885 with any questions you might have in .