CQC update for adult social care providers
CQC publishes anti-racism position statement and research on how it can become an anti-racist organisation
Everyone deserves safe, effective and compassionate care, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or what challenges they face.
Tackling racism is central to improving care quality and outcomes. As the independent regulator of health and social care in England, we have a responsibility to take that seriously.
We have published our anti-racism position statement alongside research on how we can become an anti-racist organisation.
This work sets out how we are strengthening our approach to anti-racism in how we regulate, listen, and work as an organisation. It supports a more consistent approach to identifying and addressing inequalities in care.
Keeping your CQC registration up to date
Under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009, providers are required to ensure their registration details are kept up to date. This helps us maintain an accurate picture of the services being delivered and supports effective regulation across sectors.
When do you need to tell us about changes?
You need to let us know promptly if you make any changes affecting your registration. Changes may include, but aren’t limited to:
A change to your provider name or legal entity
A change to your business address or contact details, including email address
A change to the locations that you provide services at or from
A registered manager, partner, or director joining or leaving your organisation
Changes to the regulated activities you deliver
Changes to your service type or to the range of people’s needs who your service aims to meet
An update to your statement of purpose
In all cases you will either need to submit an application to make changes to your registration or submit the relevant notification.
Keeping your registration accurate is your responsibility as a provider. If you are unsure whether a change needs to be reported, please refer to our guidance. If you still have questions, you can contact us.
Access to digital care records – pilot expansion
We are expanding our pilot of a new process to access digital care records in adult social care services from 1 July to services in the Northwest and the Northeast and Yorkshire.
This approach allows inspectors, with provider consent, to access providers’ digital systems securely using CQC devices to review records on- or off-site as part of inspection activity. Evidence from earlier pilot phases shows that, where appropriate safeguards are in place, this can improve inspection efficiency, strengthen evidence gathering and reduce disruption for providers.
The pilot will be expanded in phases, starting with adult social care services in the North, to enable further testing at scale and to refine our approach. It is a continuation of our learning, with a focus on ensuring safe, lawful and proportionate use. Participation remains entirely voluntary and will only take place where providers agree and systems are suitable.
We will continue to gather feedback from providers and inspectors throughout the extended pilot to inform future decisions. Further information and guidance will be shared with participating services.
New blog series from our Chief Inspectors
Thank you to everyone who joined our recent in-person roadshows and online sessions. These conversations have provided valuable opportunities to hear directly from providers about their experiences, challenges and priorities.
Look out for our upcoming series of blogs from each of our Chief Inspectors, drawing on what we've heard across these events. The blogs will explore key sector insights, reflect on common themes and questions, and share perspectives on the issues that matter most to providers, stakeholders and people.
We look forward to sharing the first blog with you soon, which you'll be able to read on our Medium page.
Get Adult Social Care Data (GASCD): a new digital service for providers
GASCD is a free digital service from the Department of Health and Social Care for CQC‑registered adult social care providers and local authorities.
GASCD can be used to:
view information on care provision in local areas, including breakdowns of community care services by type
compare care home bed occupancy with local averages
understand local demand for community and residential care services and how local authority social care budgets are used
explore data on disability prevalence by area.
User feedback indicates that 91% of those surveyed report improved access to information through GASCD.
A demonstration is available to show how the service can be used. Content and functionality will continue to be developed.
Information on how to access the service was circulated in June to nominated individuals and registered managers via email from get.adult.social.care.data@notifications.service.gov.uk, sent to the email address registered with CQC. The subject line was “Free DHSC Digital Service for Adult Social Care Providers – Sign up now”.
From later in the summer, nominated individuals with accounts will be able to delegate access to other members of their team.
For further information, contact: getadultsocialcaredata.team@dhsc.gov.uk
Hot weather: protecting patients and service users
Hot weather can pose increased risks to older people and those with chronic health conditions.
Providers are reminded that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates the Weather-Health Alerting (WHA) system, which offers early warnings of temperatures that may affect health and wellbeing. Providers can sign up to receive these alerts.
UKHSA has also published guidance to support providers in reducing risks during periods of hot weather, including:
Summary action card for services delivering care to people in their homes
Summary action card for care homes and other adult social care residential settings
Supporting vulnerable people before and during hot weather: social care managers
These resources provide practical steps to help protect people using services during periods of high temperatures.
The Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free, confidential service that can help people receiving care with additional communication, access, or health needs. The PSR helps utilities companies support people in both daily interactions and during an outage.
To sign up, use your postcode to identify your local utility operators and complete their registration form. Registration requires personal details, including where relevant, information that individuals have a reliance on water or electricity-dependent medical equipment. This means that care providers can register or support registrations on behalf of those they care for, using the same process. This information can then lead to support such as delivery of bottled water or electric generators in a prolonged outage.
The legal basis of substantial public interests is used to share individuals PSR data in the best interests of all, to keep people safe and connected to essential utilities. This data is secure and shared only between providers and trusted partners to facilitate their support during emergencies.
Upon registration, carers can be added as a nominated contact to receive alerts on behalf of those receiving care. Care providers should notify utility operators if a person they provide care for moves or their needs change.
Other news
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In a new blog, Chris Badger, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care, reflects on the completion of CQC’s baselining assessments of all local authorities and looks ahead to the next phase of this work. He outlines updates to the assessment approach, including a more flexible and relational model, and what local authorities can expect as this next phase progresses. Read more on the CQC Medium page.
The Department of Health and Social Care has published an update following the recent Supreme Court judgment on changes to the definition of deprivation of liberty: Changes to the definition of deprivation of liberty - GOV.UK. Further interim guidance will be published to support providers in understanding and applying the implications of this ruling. This is being developed in partnership with stakeholders and charities and will include practical case studies to support application in practice.
The Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) has published an article about their new report on dementia care that aligns with our recent research and last year's report. HQIP's review of memory assessment services reveals continued pressure on clinical services and shows that patients are experiencing further increases in wait times for assessment and diagnosis. It also highlights variation across services.
The Digital Care Hub is hosting a Digital Care Summit in London on 23 September 2026, focused on digital transformation, partnership working and neighbourhood health. The event is open to providers in London and surrounding areas. Further information and registration: Digital Care Summit London – Digital Care Hub.
Alzheimer’s Society is seeking feedback from care homes on the use of innovation and technology in dementia care. A short survey is available, with an option to register interest in a virtual focus group on 7 July. Complete the survey
The Care Show will take place in Birmingham on 7–8 October. Free tickets are available.