CQC’s “Better Regulation, Better Care” Consultation 

The Care Quality Commission's (CQC) latest consultation, “Better regulation, better care”, published on 16 October 2025, sets out proposed changes to how health and care services are assessed, rated and inspected. Care Quality Commission These aren’t yet the new rules, but the proposals are significant, so it’s smart to prepare ahead.

Here are the six key updates of which all adult social care providers should be aware:

1️⃣ Ratings Characteristics Are Back

The consultation proposes re-introducing clear ratings characteristics that define what “Outstanding”, “Good”, “Requires Improvement” and “Inadequate” actually look like in practice. This is aimed at making ratings more transparent and consistent.

Implication: Services will need to review how they meet each rating level and ensure their practices map clearly to those definitions.

2️⃣ Goodbye Quality Statements — Hello “Supporting Questions”

Rather than the existing “Quality Statements” structure, the CQC is suggesting replacing them with “supporting questions”. These will guide inspection and assessment in a more streamlined way.

Implication: Documentation, internal audits and staff awareness may need adjusting to align with the new question-based framework.

3️⃣ Simplified Scoring: Only at Key Question & Overall Service Level

Under the new model, the scoring would be limited to the five Key Questions, Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-Led, plus the overall service rating. There would not be scores given for every individual statement or criterion.

Implication: Services will need to focus on excelling at the Key Questions, rather than dispersing effort over multiple micro-scores.

4️⃣ A Specific Framework for Adult Social Care

While many elements of the assessment framework will remain similar across sectors, the CQC is proposing a tailored adult social care framework. This acknowledges the unique aspects of our sector, such as home-based support, registered care homes, and community services. Care Quality Commission

Implication: You’ll want to review how your service aligns with a sector-specific framework (when published) and identify any social care-specific risks or features.

5️⃣ Two Types of Inspection: Routine & Rapid Response

The consultation sets out a dual-inspection model:

• Routine inspections, expected to happen roughly every 3-5 years for many services.
• Rapid response inspections, triggered when concerns are raised, or significant changes occur.

Implication: While routine inspections may be less frequent, the “rapid response” capability means services must maintain readiness at all times.

6️⃣ Every Key Question Assessed — But Not Every Single Aspect

For a routine inspection, the CQC proposes assessing each Key Question (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-Led). However, they may not examine every component of the assessment framework in that inspection.

Implication: Your internal audit programme should cover the full framework, even if not every part is inspected each time, having a robust continual system will position you well.

⚠️ Important: This Is a Consultation, Not Yet the New Regime

Remember: this remains a consultation. The changes are not final and may take nine months or more to come into effect. The consultation closes at 5 pm on 11 December 2025.

What this means:

• No need to panic or make drastic changes immediately.
• But it is the time to begin preparing, reviewing your service, and understanding what might change.
• Most importantly: add your voice to the consultation and help shape the outcome.

What to Do Now

• Read the full CQC consultation document and make sure you understand the proposals (download link in the consultation page).
• Share with your leadership team, compliance colleagues and quality auditors, get everyone familiar with what “Outstanding”, “Good” etc might look like under the new scheme.
• Review your internal audit/quality assurance processes in anticipation of moving to supporting-questions, sector-specific frameworks and Key Question focus.
• Stay tuned for QCG updates, we’ll be keeping a close eye on how this develops, and sharing tools, briefings and guidance to help you prepare.
• Respond to the consultation if you can, your practical insights as a provider matter.

How do you take part in the consultation

The quickest and easiest way to respond is through their online form.

Deadline

The CQC ask that you respond by 5pm on 11 December 2025.