The CQC single assessment framework explained

As you will be aware, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) announced their new assessment framework rollout at the end of 2023, setting out the new framework to all registered social care providers, local authorities and integrated care systems (ICS) in England.

In this article, we're taking a look at the sort of things you can expect from the new single assessment framework, and how software can be key for proving regulatory compliance.

And you can join our webinar with Jenny Wilde, Partner at Acuity Law, 'CQC: Navigating the Single Assessment Framework during a time of regulatory uncertainty' for a deep dive into all the information you need to know about the new process.

When was the CQC single assessment framework rolled out?

From 5 December 2023: Assessments of some early adopters in the South East began. Continuing with all providers in the South of England.

From 13 December 2023: Assessments of local authorities started.

From 9 January 2024: Assessments began for providers in London and the East of England.

From 23 January 2024: Assessments of some providers in the North of England and the Midlands went underway.

From 6 February 2024: Assessments started for all providers in the North and the Midlands.

What will the CQC be drawing on for evidence?

There are six categories for the different types of evidence:

• People's experience
• Feedback from staff and leaders
• Observations of care
• Feedback from partners
• Processes
• Outcomes of care

What is changing with the CQC single assessment framework?

As part of the change, the CQC planned to have some new roles involved with the assessment process:

Regulatory Co-ordinator: Someone who works across sectors and would be the main point of contact about the inspection.

Assessor: Someone who should be specialised in your sector and would review your data off-site and agree on scores.

Inspector: Someone who should be a specialist in your sector, working on-site. They would work with the Assessor to monitor risks and agree on scores.

However, the CQC have reverted to a simplified processes of a single inspector for end to end assessments.

The 34 Quality Statements have replaced the previous Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE's) and include 'We' statements that providers must evidence to demonstrate high quality care delivery.

These new assessments will also be either planned or responsive (if they have received concerning information to spark action). And as you know, there have been multiple hurdles with the new framework as well as controversy surrounding the regulator. The CQC have stated, however, that they intend to increase guidance and support for providers, the number of inspections they carry out and the number of people in their registration teams to speed up applications. They are also looking to improve their portal technology and provide closer contact with providers.

The CQC has also recently announced that it is implementing urgent changes to its assessment approach to increase the number and quality of assessments. The current scoring system is considered too slow and complex so from December 2nd 2024, the CQC will stop scoring at the evidence category level and instead focus on quality statement levels. Their internal technology systems will also be updated to facilitate faster assessments. And these interim changes will be reviewed in early 2025, with further improvements planned, including clearer quality descriptions and a new guidance handbook.

What is staying the same with the CQC single assessment framework?

The CQC have said they will continue to build on their existing methods for collecting evidence, keeping both the five key questions (safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led) and their rating scale (outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate).

So, whilst they will be assessing evidence using a different framework, most of the information will be similar to that previously reviewed and can be gathered both on-site and off-site, including the completion of the Provider Information Return (PIR) questions.

However, with the new portal and the digitalised process of gathering evidence, it will mean more work for managers because the new framework will rely more heavily on services providing information to the CQC.

Utilising software to prove regulatory compliance in social care

Managing and maintaining regulatory compliance is a constant challenge for social care organisations. And when you're already feeling the pressure of a busy service, the additional complexities that can stem from proving compliance - particularly when you're dealing with manual or siloed processes - can feel even more stressful.

This is why software solutions need to be designed to help you achieve and evidence regulatory compliance without the struggles that come with insufficient processes.

1. Recording data

First of all, in order to prove compliance, you need to have accurate records. When your teams are dipping in and out of multiple pieces of software, spreadsheets or rustling through paperwork to record data, it can lead to inaccuracies, duplication or even worse, records being missed entirely. And if you didn't document it, the CQC may assume it didn't happen.

There will always be a need to record lots of information in social care because vital information that may be needed for proving compliance can occur at almost every step of a process. But it doesn't have to be an administrative burden. Instead of needing to update important records using inefficient methods, your teams can seamlessly record information when the tools they have are easy to use and immediately accessible.

Check out our blog 'Streamline risk management as a multi-site social care provider' for more information.

Having a software solution that encompasses all your care and business needs ensures a single source of truth for your teams to update and review. Cloud-based social care solutions are also accessible at any time so they can record any changes to client care plans at the point of care. This total visibility and ease of access helps to ensure the data being gathered (which will ultimately help you prove your compliance) is both up-to-date and accurate.

2. Reporting data

Now you need to be able to use the data your teams have recorded to prove your compliance. The CQC for instance, want to see how your service is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led as part of their assessment. Or within the new assessment framework, may be looking into people experience, stakeholder feedback and care outcomes.

But often with multiple siloed processes you can be data 'rich' but information 'poor', so it takes a significant amount of time to collate this evidence. And if you can't provide evidence for the key questions and quality statements, it can negatively affect the rating and reputation of your organisation.

Modern social care solutions offer real-time updates, so the reports you run are accurate to your current circumstances. Bespoke reporting and dashboards not only provide full visibility of care quality and regulatory compliance, but also the ability to dive down into the records to see exactly where that information has come from.

Check out our blog 'How to efficiently manage your risks between inspections' for more information.

So, for example, you need to provide evidence of when your service has mitigated risk. You can create a tailored, auditable summary of how the risk was escalated, the workflow followed, and the processes put in place to prevent any further impact. And because you can access these reports at the click of a button, it helps make evidencing compliance quicker and easier.

Navigating the single assessment framework with software

At OneAdvanced, we provide dedicated software for the specific needs of your sector. Our care business management solution is desigined for all types and size of care organisation, designed to help you achieve and prove compliance exactly when you need it.

Plus, our Risk Management solution allows you to identify, map and manage risks across your entire organisation, giving you complete oversight of how you work towards remaining compliant with your regulatory body.

Get in touch today to see how we can support you.

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