CareNews

CQC Assessment Framework Review Enters Second Phase

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has announced the launch of the second phase of its review into its assessment framework and implementation, building on the recommendations made during the initial review conducted by Professor Sir Mike Richards.

Phase One Review Recap

Phase one of the review, completed in mid-October 2024, provided a series of recommendations to refine and enhance the CQC’s assessment processes. The findings aimed to support the regulator’s recovery efforts and improve service delivery across health and social care sectors.

Simultaneously, the Care Provider Alliance (CPA) undertook an independent provider survey, gathering over 1,200 responses from social care providers. The feedback closely aligned with Sir Mike Richards’ conclusions and offered a detailed operational perspective on the single assessment framework.

Focus of the Second Phase

Phase two aims to build on these findings, focusing on improving the assessment experience for providers, increasing the transparency of ratings, and strengthening guidance for CQC staff. This stage will integrate insights from two key workstreams:

  • A continuation of work led by Professor Sir Mike Richards.
  • A targeted engagement programme with care providers, spearheaded by the CPA and chaired by Professor Vic Rayner OBE.

The combined efforts will ensure that improvements are developed collaboratively with providers, service users, and other stakeholders.

Key Areas of Exploration

The second phase will examine several critical areas, including:

  • Understanding providers’ expectations of assessments and drawing lessons from regulatory practices elsewhere in the UK.
  • Enhancing consistency within the assessment framework across different sectors.
  • Defining clear benchmarks for “good regulatory assessment” within the framework.
  • Providing clearer guidance on assessment reporting processes, including feedback mechanisms, report timings, and relationships with providers.

Methodology and Engagement

The work will involve extensive internal and external engagement:

  • Professor Sir Mike Richards will lead discussions with CQC staff across sectors and gather insights from health providers and associated organisations.
  • The CPA will conduct a second phase of engagement with adult social care providers, expanding on themes identified in their initial survey.

Named contacts within CQC will collaborate closely with these teams to ensure smooth progression.

Timeline and Reporting

The CPA began work on this project in September 2024 and shared interim results from phase one with the CQC Board in November. Phase two formally commenced in November 2024 and is scheduled for completion by mid-December 2024.

The findings from this phase will be submitted to the Chief Executive and Board of CQC, ensuring that the recommendations directly inform the regulator’s strategies and practices moving forward.

Impact and Expectations

This second phase marks a critical step in CQC’s commitment to enhancing its regulatory approach. By incorporating the views of providers and service users, the initiative aims to foster greater transparency, consistency, and effectiveness in health and social care assessments, ensuring high-quality outcomes for all stakeholders.