CQC sets out to rebuild trust in its regulation

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has set out the improvements and changes it will make to help rebuild trust in its regulation. The care watchdog is aiming to improve the way in which it works in response to two important reviews of its practices. Dr Penny Dash recently published the final report of her...

Statutory and Mandatory Training: Skills for Care’s new guide

Skills for Care have published a new guide on statutory and mandatory training, which are both key aspects of any care worker induction. Statutory training is training that is required by law or by a statutory body, such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or Ofsted, in order to ensure care providers and their...

New Workforce Strategy for adult social care a ‘call to action’

The new national Workforce Strategy for adult social care in England has been described as a “call to action” which provides a “long-term vision” for the sector. The sector-led Workforce Strategy has been developed by Skills for Care in collaboration with other social care bodies and stakeholders, including the Care Quality Commission (CQC), care...

CQC community mental health survey finds poor care

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) recently published the results of its 2023 Community Mental Health Survey, which revealed that people’s experiences of community mental health services are generally poor. The watchdog says that the survey, which received feedback from 14,770 people who received treatment for a mental health condition between 1st April and 31st...

CQC publishes first local authority care assessments

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published the first of its formal local authority care assessments. Britain’s care watchdog is now required to formally assess how all local authorities in England are meeting their adult social care duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014. This covers the general duties of local authorities,...

CQC campaign encourages people to share care experiences

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has launched a new campaign to encourage people whose voices are often marginalised to share their care experiences in order to help services improve. Britain’s care watchdog says it knows that people “whose voices are seldom heard” are also often more likely to experience poorer care. Their Share for...

Skills for Care campaign celebrates registered managers

Throughout March, Skills for Care’s latest campaign will be putting the spotlight on registered managers in care. The workforce development charity will focus on championing and celebrating registered managers, which they describe as “the heart of their organisations.” The Championing Registered Managers campaign will run across their website, social media and other communication channels...

CQC issues update on new assessment approach

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....

NHS England consults over Never Events Framework

NHS England have launched a consultation on the existing Never Events Framework. ‘Never Events’ is the term used to describe incidents which have the potential to cause serious harm or death to patients but which are completely preventable as long as national guidance or safety recommendations are adhered to. The current Never Events framework...

New Good and Outstanding Care guide launched by Skills for Care

Skills for Care has launched an updated edition of its Good and Outstanding Care guide. The national workforce development charity partnered with The Outstanding Society to update the guide ahead of changes being made to Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections. Outstanding care guide shaped around new CQC inspection framework Numbering 300 pages, the comprehensive...

Innovation in care focus of new CQC report

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is aiming to deliver regulation that supports innovation in care. England’s care watchdog says a new report has identified unique opportunities for it to support innovation in care services and deliver “innovation-friendly” regulation. In their 2021 Strategy, the CQC committed to accelerating improvement in health and care. Now, as...

Care firms fined following violent attacks on staff

Two firms operating in the adult social care sector have been fined more than £400,000 after “systemic failures” led to staff being injured in repeated violent attacks by patients. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the leading care firms should have implemented “preventative measures to prevent violence,” such as training for staff. Britain’s...

Care providers prepare for CQC’s Single Assessment Framework

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is set to roll out its new Single Assessment Framework before the end of the year. England’s care watchdog first published the new framework for providers and stakeholders to review in July 2022, saying they would be introducing it in phases. It is to be rolled out for adult...

Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training ‘vitally important’

NHS England have developed a powerful video animation to help the health and social care workforce understand the importance of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training package. It has been made available as the Department of Health and Social Care runs a consultation on its draft code of practice for the training. The Oliver McGowan...