The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has now rolled out its new single assessment framework across all regions in England.
In its latest update on the new assessment approach for providers, the CQC says it is now going to focus on implementing its registration process and introduce more functionality on its new online provider portal.
Guidance for CQC’s new assessment approach
The care watchdog has published new guidance for providers to support the progress made with their new approach.
A new guidance and regulation section on its website and updated webpages will give information to support providers as the CQC’s new assessment framework is put into practice. Following feedback from providers, the CQC has improved the structure of their online guidance “to reflect more clearly how providers interact with us.”
The CQC is continually seeking and listening to feedback and will act on this to continue to improve and develop its guidance.
CQC extends new provider portal
Next month they will also launch additional functions on the new provider portal.
The new functions will enable some registration activity, more notifications and functionality for users. The CQC has also amended the timing to ensure that they can implement all these changes smoothly for care providers.
Providers can join the CQC’s new online portal until 11th March. After this date, they will be able to sign up to the portal without needing an invitation from the watchdog. The current portal will remain available until 11th March to allow more time for providers to prepare for the changes and submit their information to the CQC. After this date, however, it will switch to ‘read only.’
To align with their new approach, the CQC will be making some changes to the registration process. A new online registration process will be launched for new provider applications on the portal, along with registering a new manager.
Providers can also cancel, change or vary registrations online, with guidance provided on the CQC’s website.
The CQC’s next steps
For its next steps, the watchdog will focus on developing its new approach for those care services that it does not rate (such as primary care dental providers).
They plan to engage with the sector on this in the coming months and will begin to rollout this new approach later in 2024. They are also going to be sharing more information around assessments of the ‘well-led’ key question for NHS trusts soon.
The CQC’s new Single Assessment Framework judges quality in all types of services, including independent care providers, local authorities and integrated care systems.
Although the care watchdog has retained its existing quality ratings and five ‘key questions’, the new framework replaces the old key lines of enquiry (KLOEs) and prompts with 34 new ‘quality statements.’
It is hoped this new approach to assessment will make it easier for care providers to understand what is expected of them.
Navigating the new assessment framework
Skills for Care has developed a range of resources to help care providers navigate the CQC’s new approach to monitoring and inspection.
The adult social care workforce development charity provides recommendations, examples and resources covering the 34 new quality statements from the framework within their Good and Outstanding inspection toolkit, which is available online.
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