Increase in registered managers since we announced plans to take tough action

We've secured a 57% increase in the number of new registered managers across 2439 health and social care services that we targeted in a six-month project.

We set up the project last September to improve the high number of locations operating without a registered manager in place for the longest periods of time. It ran from November 2013 to April 2014. This is in addition to reviews carried out by our inspectors at locations across the whole of England.

Based on project figures set out in yesterday’s Board report, 1395 out of those locations now have a registered manager in place. A further 470 (20%) manager applications have been submitted to us for approval.

We've also used enforcement powers across 590 locations that failed to appoint or submit an application for a registered manager. A high proportion responded without the need for us to take further action but 42% have paid a Fixed Penalty Notice.

We'll continue to work with providers to ensure all health and adult social care services that are required to have registered managers fill these positions.

Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Corporate Lead for Registration said: “This is really positive news for people who are using services and I am very encouraged that providers have responded to our challenge and taken steps to ensure that registered managers are in post.

“We know the role of the registered manager is an important one in making a difference to people’s experiences of care. They are vital in helping to make sure people receive services that are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

“As part of our new approach to changing the way we inspect and regulate adult social care, we are proposing that any location providing adult social care services will not be able to achieve a rating higher than ‘requires improvement’ if it has been without a registered manager (where one is required) for more than six months without reasonable justification.”