Care England Warns CQC’s Plans Lack Substance and Demands Urgent Accountability

Care England, the leading voice for adult social care providers in England, has expressed disappointment in the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) latest approach to restoring trust in its regulatory operations.

Reacting to the announcement Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, commented:

“Dr. Penny Dash released the interim review into the CQC’s operational effectiveness in July. Yet, three months later, the sector remains in the dark about how the CQC intends to address its deep-rooted issues. Today’s announcement offers more of the same – promises of transparency, quicker assessments, and clearer reports – yet fails to deliver the tangible actions providers desperately need.

 

The absence of measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and defined timelines in this plan points to a continued lack of accountability. Providers need concrete benchmarks, not vague assertions of ‘immediate changes’ and ‘pilots’ that provide no certainty for improvement. Without a clear, actionable roadmap, trust cannot be rebuilt.”

In its announcement, the CQC confirmed several changes, including the recruitment of a new Chief Executive and the appointment of three Chief Inspectors to enhance leadership. Additionally, the CQC is reviewing its single assessment framework in collaboration with Professor Sir Mike Richards and the Care Provider Alliance.

The CQC also announced several pilot projects, including efforts to improve relationships with providers, starting with NHS trusts and later expanding to other sectors aiming to refine management oversight and assessment processes. These initiatives are set to conclude early next year, with implementation thereafter.

To increase the number of monthly assessments, the CQC plans to:

• Score at quality statement and rating at key question level.
• Use evidence categories to reach a quality statement score

Use professional judgement to ensure accuracy

• Streamline processes using improved technology for factual accuracy checks and provider registration
• Provide updates to the provider portal in the coming weeks.

Martin Green Continued:

“Since the interim review, we’ve waited for meaningful action, but are once again faced with vague immeasurable commitments. The sector cannot continue to operate in this regulatory vacuum. Providers were expecting a strategic overhaul of CQC processes, but instead been given ambiguous changes without clarity on how inspections and regulatory decisions will improve.

 

It is vital that the CQC recognises that if a care provider were to present an action plan without measurable evidence of change, they would be rated inadequate. We need to see that same level of accountability applied to the CQC. The ongoing delays in registration and inspection processes create a ripple effect that affects the entire health and care ecosystem. We had hoped for concrete plans from the CQC by this stage, yet we are left disappointed. Without such, the sector remains in a state of uncertainty.

 

The time for promises has passed. Providers urgently need concrete actions, specific deadlines, and real accountability from the CQC. The future of adult social care depends on it.”

Care England immediately calls on the CQC to outline specific KPIs and timelines to a clear understanding of when improvements to assessments, registration processes, and reporting will be delivered.

Martin Green Concluded:

“The CQC needs to practice what they preach. To use their own words, care providers demand an effective, responsive, and well-led action-plan – yet find themselves to be failed once again.”