
Visiting care homes during COVID-19
Images that will be remembered from this pandemic are those of friends and family visiting their loved ones through the windows of care homes. These

End of year Review of CQC developments
This has been a significant year for regulated social care and has seen a number of dynamic changes and changes, made in response to crisis,

CQC Letters of Intent: A precursor to urgent action – don’t miss the opportunity to stop it escalating
As reported on in our October 2020 Newsletter, the introduction of CQC’s Transitional Monitoring Approach means that the CQC is moving away from timetabled inspections

CQC’s Transitional Monitoring Approach
During the period of the pandemic, CQC paused routine inspections and introduced the Emergency Support Framework (“ESF”) with the intention of focusing on the immediate

The Future of CQC Inspections
This article delves deeper into CQC’s immediate priorities following suspension of inspections in March 2020, looking at what CQC has in store for the next

Safeguarding referrals – to notify or not to notify the CQC?
All providers will (we hope) be familiar with safeguarding referrals. These need to be made to the relevant safeguarding authority when certain incidents, events, or

Past the peak: Why the fairytale ending will have to wait for the social care sector
It has been an unforgettable few months for all of us. The profile of our world has changed forever and we have quickly adapted to

How COVID-19 may have a Positive Effect on the Inspection Process
There appears to be a buzz phrase going round CQC at the moment. At the May 2020 CQC Board meeting “crossing the threshold” was said

Getting the Facts (and Ratings) Straight – CQC’s Factual Accuracy Process
Whilst the majority of CQC inspections have been put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, this will not remain the case forever. When inspections re-start

Local Authorities provided with the ability to relax adherence to their duties under the Care Act 2014
The Government has provided Local Authorities with the ability to relax their adherence to certain duties such as to conduct care assessments; determine eligibility for

Holding the CQC to account: a flawed system – Ridout Report -March 2020
It often feels that Providers have limited opportunities to have their say and defend their corner against the CQC. It can appear that the system

CQC’s new draft Registering the Right Support guidance – A missed opportunity for clarity and yet another consultation blunder?
In May 2019, CQC announced that there was to be a review of its Registering the Right Support guidance “to ensure that its principles are