CQC, Care & Support West Meeting Notes
Dear providers,
Care and Support West meets with senior staff from CQC on a 3 monthly basis.
The attached notes are from our most recent meeting.
If you have any questions arising from the notes, please contact me at enquiries@careandsupportwest.com
All the best,
David Smallacombe, CEO
Meeting Purpose
To align on CQC updates, local social care challenges, and joint advocacy.
Key Takeaways
CQC Leadership & Framework: Baroness Julia Neuberger starts as CQC Chair Oct 1, 2026, a move seen as completing the leadership team. A new, simpler single assessment framework for adult social care is being co-produced through external engagement in September and October 2026, aiming to be more fit-for-purpose.
Local Performance: BNSSG currently has 26 Outstanding services (e.g., Monica Wills House, Home Instead Bristol), 363 Good, and 17 Requires Improvement, with no Inadequate ones. The “Return to Good” methodology, a shorter assessment focusing on 18 quality statements. Additionally, CQC is actively clearing a backlog of 103 unrated services, allowing for full inspections if concerns arise.
Strategic Advocacy: Care & Support West is strongly advocating for the inclusion of adult social care, local authorities, and VCSE in the BNSSG ICB’s new Provider Collaborative. Excluding these sectors makes the development and effective delivery of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs) impossible. This is seen as a crucial opportunity for social care to lead on “primary prevention”.
Workforce Risks: Significant concerns were raised about the 2028 international recruitment deadline, additionally workers who gain Leave to Remain may move out of social care, exacerbating staffing shortages. The increasingly robust Home Office inspections are suspending provider licenses for “very minor admin” reasons, causing severe stress and cost. CQC is monitoring the use of AI in care, noting its potential for personalization in care plans but also risks of genericism or inaccurate policies if not carefully reviewed.