CQC changes in 2026 and the effect on care homes

CQC CHANGES IN 2026 AND THE EFFECT ON CARE HOMES

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent body that regulates health and adult social care in England, ensures that services including hospitals, GP surgeries, dental practices, care homes, home‑care providers, and mental‑health services deliver care that is safe, effective, compassionate, and of a consistently high standard.

They are proposing a number of changes to the inspection approach with a move back to a more recognisable and practical framework with urgent challenges being focused on until end of 2026 and longer-term changes being delivered up to the end of 2028.

The Plan

• Introduction of a simpler registration form with improved guidance to improve the registration experience and tackle the backlog of applications.
• A move to inspectorates focused around areas of expertise including the proposed return of KLOES which will reduce the framework from 34 Quality Statements to 24 Key Lines of Enquiry.
• Actively recruiting more Registration Inspectors with a view to increasing the volume of completed registrations.
• Investigation into streamlining and making improvements to the online portal

The public consultation on assessment frameworks ‘Better regulation, better care’ has already resulted in a number of agreed actions.

• A more focused engagement with key stakeholders to define what good care looks like and refine sector‑specific assessment frameworks.
• Consultation and engagement feedback will be used to finalise the new assessment frameworks and approach.
• New methodologies will be implemented and tested internally and piloted with a variety of providers to ensure they work across all sectors.
• The final assessments framework will be published with guidance to support providers ahead of implementation.
• Improvements with be continued to be made to the regulation service enabling faster decisions and stronger safeguards.
• Improving online presence including upgrades to the data platform, provider portal and exploring additional tech needs.

How will this effect care home providers?

The CQC’s new approach will be evidence‑driven and centred on people, shifting to a clearer, more empowered regulation that supports learning, improvement, and collaboration across the care sector. It will give providers better access to support, strengthen safeguards for people using services, and offer clearer assurance about care quality across regions.

Key changes for the care sector include:

• A single universal assessment replacing multiple existing frameworks
• Continuous quality and risk assessments instead of scheduled inspections based on past ratings
• Evidence gathered over time rather than one‑off inspections using KLOEs
• Scores based on evidence replacing rating characteristics
• Shorter, clearer inspection summaries aligned to the new framework

As these changes progress, care home providers will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering a more consistent, transparent, and supportive regulatory system. The shift to continuous, evidence‑based assessment and clearer digital processes is designed to reduce uncertainty, strengthen quality, and make regulation feel more collaborative.

Ultimately, these changes aim to give care home providers the clarity and tools they need to deliver safe, high‑quality care with confidence.

If you are looking for a career move, and you are a Manager or Exec in UK Care Homes then please get in touch to see how we can help. Contact Sophie Reeves (sophie@experts2care.com) at Experts2care www.experts2care.com