Consultation on the CQC’s draft assessment framework – what it contains and why it’s important

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is consulting on a new adult social care assessment framework, marking a significant update to how the quality of services within the sector will be assessed. The consultation is open until 12 June and invites views from providers, service users and other stakeholders on a draft framework developed in collaboration with the Care Provider Alliance (CPA), CQC inspection teams and others.

The proposed framework signals a shift towards a more outcomes-focused, person-centred approach to regulation. For care providers, understanding the framework and engaging with the consultation now is essential preparation for the period ahead.

What is the proposed framework?

The proposed framework represents a significant structural shift. CQC is moving away from the quality statements that have underpinned assessments in recent years and returning to a model based on Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs), which will be familiar to many providers from earlier inspection regimes. The five key questions remain central to the framework – Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led – supported by KLOEs, with detailed rating characteristics describing what Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement and Inadequate look like in practice.

A key, and very welcome, feature of this approach is increased transparency. The rating characteristics are intended to give providers and the public a clearer understanding of what’s expected at each rating level. This supports CQC’s stated intention to ‘inspect for Good,’ meaning that inspections will treat a Good rating as the baseline against which services will be measured. Services that exceed that baseline can achieve Outstanding, while those that fall short will be rated Requires Improvement or Inadequate.

Crucially, the draft framework has been co-produced with the sector. The Care Provider Alliance has provided what CQC describes as ‘valuable, solution-focused feedback,’ and the current consultation provides a further opportunity for the wider sector to shape the final version.

Potential benefits of the proposed framework

Much of the proposed framework is likely to be welcomed by providers. The strong emphasis on outcomes, rather than process compliance alone, gives services more scope to demonstrate the real difference they make to people’s lives. Care that genuinely reflects individual needs, preferences and wishes should be recognised in a way that’s hard for a straightforward box-ticking approach to capture.

The draft framework also promotes a balanced and proportionate approach to risk, recognising that living a fulfilling life may involve people being supported to take carefully managed risks. This is a meaningful shift away from a culture which has sometimes fostered overly defensive practice and supports providers to place individuals’ rights, choice and quality of life at the centre of decision-making.

Innovation is explicitly valued. Outstanding ratings recognise services that pioneer evidence-based approaches, share learning with partners and contribute to wider sector improvement. The framework also rewards strong staff development, including ‘tailored training to the individual needs and learning styles of staff,’ as well as collaborative working across care pathways and a clear focus on equity and inclusion.

Potential concerns and challenges

Providers should, however, approach the proposals with realistic expectations. The level of detail in the rating characteristics is likely to translate into a significant documentation and evidence-gathering burden, particularly for smaller providers. While demonstrating outcomes is more flexible than demonstrating compliance, it’s also far more nuanced and services will need to be prepared with robust ways of capturing impact.

Achieving an Outstanding rating will require genuine investment in training, partnerships and innovation at a time when the sector continues to face widely recognised workforce and financial pressures. Meeting expectations around safe staffing, skill mix and ongoing professional development may prove challenging.

Some elements remain a work in progress. CQC has acknowledged, for example, that environmental sustainability has not yet been included, with further work needed to develop an evidence-based approach. This underlines why the consultation matters – it offers providers the chance to raise such gaps and influence how the framework develops. Robust governance, quality assurance and management systems will be expected throughout, which may require investment in digital systems and processes.

Why the consultation matters

Consultations are a critical part of the regulatory process. They provide a formal process to enable those most affected by new requirements – in this case, care providers, their staff and those they support – to share their views, raise concerns and suggest improvements.

CQC relies on this feedback to ensure that new frameworks are workable in practice, proportionate in their demands and genuinely focused on improving outcomes. For providers, engaging with the consultation is not just an opportunity; it’s a responsibility. The sector’s collective voice can help shape a framework that’s fair, achievable and supportive of high-quality care. Without sufficient input from providers, there’s a risk that the final framework will not reflect the practical realities of delivering care in a challenging environment. If providers have concerns about the documentation burden, the expectations for smaller services or the pace of implementation, now is the time to make those views known.

What this means in practice

For care providers, the practical implications are clear. Now is the time to:

• Familiarise teams – from frontline staff to boards – with the proposed KLOEs and rating characteristics
• Carry out a self-assessment against the rating characteristics to identify strengths and areas for development
• Review how you might demonstrate outcomes for people, not just how processes are followed
• Invest in person-centred culture, staff development, supervision and partnership working
• Engage with the consultation to help shape the final framework before the 12 June deadline.

The proposed framework should not be seen simply as a regulatory hurdle; used well, it offers a structured opportunity to reflect on and strengthen the quality of care being delivered. Providers that engage early, plan thoughtfully and embed a culture of continuous improvement will be best placed to adapt once the framework is finalised and deliver quality, person-centred, outcomes-focused care for service users.