Changes to CQC Inspections

CQC Inspections are changing – Here’s what it means for your training

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has introduced a new approach to inspections, and it’s already reshaping how care providers demonstrate quality, safety, and compliance.

If you are a Registered Manager or part of a leadership team, these changes bring one clear message:

Training is no longer just about completion – it’s about evidence, impact, and confidence in practice.

The changes to CQC inspections will impact providers in all areas of health and social care. In this article, we’ll explain the changes to the inspection process, and what you need to know moving forward.

What are the proposed changes to CQC inspections and ratings?

The proposed changes to the CQC inspection process and ratings are the result of a reform process that was announced in December 2025. They are influenced by the Dash Review into the Operational Effectiveness of the Care Quality Commission, and the subsequent Better regulation, better care consultation.

They will include:

• Changes to tackle urgent issues – these initial changes will be implemented in 2026
• Changes to the inspection process
• Changes to the assessment frameworks

Changes to tackle urgent issues

As a first step, the CQC will implement some immediate changes in 2026. These aim to tackle the backlog in applications and inspections, and to better reflect the realities of care settings in different sectors:

• A faster registration process. For new providers, incomplete or inaccurate registration applications will now be automatically rejected. New care providers must ensure that they have all supporting documents in place before applying.
• More inspections to be carried out, with 9,000 assessments to be published by September 2026. This increase means that as a care provider, the probability of an inspection in the next few months is higher than usual.
• Sector-specific inspections dedicated to four sectors: adult social care, hospitals, primary care and mental health. From late 2026, providers will be assessed under new frameworks tailored to their sector.

Changes to CQC assessment frameworks

The most significant change is the transition from a single framework to four sector-specific frameworks: adult social care, hospitals, primary care and mental health.

While the five key questions remain the same for all providers – Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led – the way in which these are assessed will now change depending on your service type.

CQC Single Assessment Framework updates 2025-2026

The Single Assessment Framework (SAF) was the CQC’s primary regulatory model from late 2023 through 2025. Its goal was to create a "one-size-fits-all" system that could judge all care providers, from a small home-care agency to an NHS hospital, using the same criteria.

Following the Dash Report and Better Care Consultation in 2025, it is proposed that the CQC Single Assessment Framework is scrapped in favour of four sector-specific assessment frameworks.

Changes to the CQC inspection process

The process of inspection, and the way in which you prepare for it as a provider, will change. Here is an overview of the CQC changes to ratings and inspections following the consultation in 2025-2026:

In terms of assessment criteria, success will now depend on a provider’s ability to provide clear, narrative evidence that answers the CQC’s new 'Supporting Questions' and demonstrates high-quality care:

• Rating characteristics will replace numerical scores. Within each sector-specific framework, the CQC will re-introduce rating characteristics for each sector (outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate). Scoring will be removed from the assessment methodology.
• Supporting questions will replace quality statements. This means that the five key questions – Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led – will not be assessed using “We” statements but instead with structured questions that judge the provider against appropriate criteria for the sector and service.

What do these changes mean for care providers?

The CQC changes prompted by the 2025 consultation should be a positive sign for providers, with the introduction of assessment criteria that are more nuanced, sector-specific and transparent.

Given that some of these changes will be implemented before the end of 2026, it will be important for providers to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and – with the planned increase in inspections – to be prepared for the increased likelihood of an assessment. Sector-specific consultations are now underway, and providers will need to quickly understand the new rating characteristics that are decided upon in each sector.

While the frameworks are changing, the goal for care providers ultimately remains the same: providing care that is demonstrably safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

Inspections will now focus more on:

• Real-life care outcomes
• Staff understanding and confidence
• Clear, accessible evidence
• Leadership oversight and responsiveness

Inspectors are placing greater emphasis on what is happening day-to-day – not just what’s recorded.

What this means for your training

Under the new framework, it is no longer enough to show that training has been completed.

You now need to demonstrate:

• That staff can apply their learning in practice
• That training is up-to-date and relevant
• That you can quickly evidence compliance and progress
• That leadership teams are actively monitoring and acting on training data
• In short, training must support better care – and prove it

How Social Care TV supports you

At Social Care TV, we are here to support you every step of the way. Our friendly, highly knowledgeable team are on hand to answer your questions over the telephone at any time during business hours.

Crucially, using SCTV training for your care team provides you with free, automatic access to our Learning Management System designed to help you:

• Stay inspection-ready at all times with clear, real-time information available at the touch of a button
• Easily evidence compliance with accessible reports and certificates
• Create your own custom training bundles with real time reporting
• Track staff progress and identify gaps quickly
• Utilise downloadable workbooks for further evidence of learning
• Provide engaging, practical training that helps staff feel confident in real scenarios

Whether it’s preparing for an inspection or managing day-to-day compliance, everything you need is in one place.

Moving forward with confidence

While the new CQC approach may feel like a shift, it’s also an opportunity – to strengthen your service, support your staff, and clearly demonstrate the quality of care you provide.

Want to see how it works in practice?

Book a free online demo and discover how Social Care TV can help you stay compliant, confident, and inspection-ready.