CQC has developed a new approach to regulation called a single assessment framework. This applies to providers, local authorities and integrated care systems.

They will continue to use:

• five key questions (safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led)
• four-point ratings scale (outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate).Under each key question there are a set of topic areas and quality statements. The statements describe what good care looks like and will link to the regulations.

What will be different?

• Gathering evidence: CQC gather evidence to support their judgements in a variety of ways and at different times – not just through on-site inspections. This means on-site inspections will support this activity, rather than being our primary way to collect evidence.
• Frequency of assessments: They will no longer use a service's rating as the main driver when deciding when we next need to assess. Evidence we collect or information we receive at any time can trigger an assessment.
• Assessing quality: Judgements about quality will be made more regularly, instead of only after an inspection. The assessments will be more structured and transparent, using evidence categories as part of the assessment framework and giving a score for what they find. hoping to make their decisions about ratings clearer and easier to understand.

The process will continue to be changed, refined and improved and our presentation will reflect this. If you want to hear the latest information on how the single assessment framework will work and what you need to do to prepare, this webinar is a MUST.