The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has announced a number of planned changes to its Single Assessment Framework, following feedback that its current approach is too complex and not flexible enough to work effectively across the diverse range of services it regulates. Over the past two months, the regulator has begun engaging with its own staff, providers, the public and key stakeholders to shape a revised approach to how care quality is assessed, judged, and rated.

At HLTH Group, we’re following these developments closely. While the final detail is still in consultation, the direction of travel is clear. Providers can expect further evolution of the current assessment model – and as a result, how they prepare for inspection and evidence compliance will need to evolve too.

What’s Changing in the CQC’s Approach?

The CQC has identified four core areas it is reviewing:

• The content of quality statements – The existing list of quality statements is being refined, with a focus on removing duplication, improving clarity, and making them easier for providers to understand and respond to.
• Sector-specific application – The CQC intends to tailor its framework more effectively to different types of services. This means providers will only be assessed against statements relevant to their sector, rather than applying a generic model across all settings.
• Making and maintaining judgements – The regulator is re-examining how it determines and updates ratings, particularly around the frequency of assessments and how well ratings reflect the current standard of care.
• Rating characteristics – There will be clearer definitions of what ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires Improvement’, and ‘Inadequate’ look like in practice, with a view to improving transparency and fairness in how services are judged.

These areas are still being shaped through engagement and consultation, but CQC has confirmed that a revised model will be introduced once feedback has been reviewed and the approach finalised.

How Will This Affect Providers?

Although the core domains and focus on quality remain in place, the way in which services are inspected, assessed and rated is changing again. Providers will need to be prepared for shifts in how quality statements are structured, what is expected in terms of evidence, and how often they might be re-assessed.

The move toward sector-specific frameworks means that services should no longer have to interpret statements that aren’t relevant to their model of care – but it also means leaders and registered managers must be clear on how the revised framework applies specifically to their setting.

There is also likely to be a stronger focus on how services maintain performance over time, rather than demonstrating compliance only at the point of inspection. Continuous quality assurance, governance systems, and real-time evidence will become even more important.

How HLTH Group Is Responding

To help providers navigate these changes, HLTH Group has already begun adapting our services in key ways:

• Updating our mock inspection methodology to reflect emerging sector-specific quality statements and anticipated changes to rating characteristics.
• Refreshing our training programmes to clarify new quality statements and help teams understand the practical implications of the evolving framework.
• Enhancing HLTH Manage compliance software to map evidence clearly against revised quality statements and support real-time quality monitoring.
• Engaging closely with providers to gather feedback and tailor support to real-world sector needs.
• Focusing on helping providers demonstrate continuous improvement and sustained quality, not just compliance at inspection time.

The CQC’s intention to revise its approach is a positive step toward making the regulatory process clearer, fairer and more tailored to each sector. For providers, it’s a reminder that compliance isn’t a one-off task – it’s a continuous process that must evolve alongside regulatory expectations.

At HLTH Group, we don’t take a fixed-template approach. We adapt as the landscape shifts, supporting services to prepare for what’s coming next – not just what’s already happened.

If you’d like to discuss how we can support your service as these changes roll out – whether through inspection readiness, staff training or digital compliance systems – please get in touch.