Today we publish the terms of reference for the second phase of the review looking at CQC's assessment framework and its implementation.
Terms of reference
Summary
Professor Sir Mike Richards’ phase 1 review of the assessment framework and its implementation was completed in mid-October 2024 and included a series of recommendations. Alongside this work, the Care Provider Alliance has been conducting an external provider survey and associated engagements to determine an operational perspective on the single assessment framework from social care providers.
To build on this work and further support CQC’s recovery, there will be a second phase of activity, bringing together:
- A second phase of work led by Professor Sir Mike Richards (MR)
- A further targeted programme of engagement with care providers, led by The Care Provider Alliance (CPA), which is chaired by Professor Vic Rayner OBE.
These two workstreams will both be focused on supporting CQC to improve the experience of assessment for providers, increase the transparency of ratings and ensure that robust guidance for CQC staff is underpinned by what providers and people who use services expect.
They will explore and provide recommendations on future of CQC regulatory assessment, and this will include:
- An understanding of what providers want from assessment, including learning from regulation elsewhere within the UK.
- The changes required within the assessment framework to establish consistency in assessment in the different sectors.
- Clearer definitions of “what good regulatory assessment looks like” for each area of the assessment framework.
- Clearer guidance on what the assessment reporting process and content, including initial feedback, timing of reports, relationship with providers, press release and the reports.
This work has been commissioned by CQC. The findings will be addressed to the Chief Executive and Board of CQC and will be treated as confidential to CQC but on the understanding it will be shared appropriately for transparency and accountability.
Process and scope for the second phase of work
This work will build on the findings and recommendations of MR phase 1 report.
The MR phase 2 review will include:
- Internal discussions with CQC staff, across all sectors
- External engagement with providers and organisations representing providers and people who use services across health, including feedback and insight from staff and leaders across health providers.
CPA review will include:
- A second phase of engagement with adult social care providers, building on themes identified in the first survey.
MR and members of the CPA will work closely with named contacts in CQC who will support requests.
There will be regular check ins with CQC to ensure the work is delivered as planned and within process and scope.
The following areas are not in scope for this work:
- New or emerging providers experience to registration
- IT systems (including the provider portal)
- Notifications
Timescales
CPA began work in September 2024 with the external provider survey and associated engagement and will provide interim results from phase one to the CQC board in November.
MR and the CPA will formally begin work on part 2 in November 2024.
Regular review conversations will be scheduled with key findings reported as the work progresses where possible.
Phase 2 of the work will be completed in mid-December.
Reporting
This work has been commissioned by CQC.
The findings will be addressed to the Chief Executive and Board of CQC. They will be treated as confidential to CQC but on the understanding it will be shared appropriately, including with the Department of Health and Social Care, for transparency and accountability.