Care England, the leading voice of adult social care providers in England, has responded to the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) latest update on its regulatory reforms following the Better regulation, better care consultation.
While Care England welcomes a number of the proposed changes, it has warned that key questions remain around how ratings will be applied in practice and how consistency will be maintained across the system.
The organisation welcomed the move back to sector-specific frameworks, the reintroduction of clearer lines of enquiry (KLOEs), and a reduction in the volume of quality statements, noting these changes should make the framework more practical and better aligned with how care is delivered.
Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, said:
“There are some sensible steps here. Moving back to sector-specific frameworks is the right decision and reflects what providers have been calling for. Clearer lines of enquiry should also help bring more focus to inspections.
However, the removal of scoring is a concern. It risks creating a system where ratings are less stable and harder to compare, with greater reliance on individual judgement. That makes it more difficult for providers to understand what sits behind a rating and how decisions are being made.
If CQC is placing greater weight on professional judgement, it must be clear how that judgement is applied in practice. Providers need confidence that ratings are consistent, that thresholds between ratings are understood, and that similar services will receive similar outcomes.”
Care England said that without clear thresholds and consistent application, there is a risk that ratings become less meaningful for both providers and the public.
Professor Martin Green OBE added:
“Providers need to be able to look at a rating and understand exactly why it has been given. They also need confidence that the same standards are being applied across the board. If that is not there, the ratings system becomes harder to rely on.”
Care England will continue to engage with CQC as the new frameworks are developed and tested and, alongside partners across the sector including through the Care Provider Alliance, will work to ensure the final approach reflects the realities of delivering care on the ground.
