Throughout 2025, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has been working to rebuild confidence in how health and adult social care services are regulated. A progress update published in December outlines what has changed so far — and what providers should expect next.
Key progress made in 2025
Assessment backlogs reduced
At the start of 2025, around 500 assessment reports were stuck in the system. That backlog has now been reduced to just four, meaning inspections and ratings are moving again.
More inspections completed
The CQC set a target to publish 9,000 assessments by September 2026. Over 4,300 assessments have already been published, putting the regulator ahead of schedule. November 2025 alone saw 50% more assessments completed than the same month in 2024.
Faster registrations
Registration delays have been a major frustration for providers. In response, the CQC increased the number of registration inspectors and piloted a new approach to homecare registrations. This focused on clearer guidance, quicker decisions, and a smoother process — changes that are now being rolled out across other sectors.
Improved handling of concerns
Backlogs linked to “information of concern” have been cleared, and new internal guidance has been introduced to ensure safety concerns are triaged and managed consistently.
A new regulatory structure
The CQC has returned to a sector-led model, with dedicated Chief Inspectors for Adult Social Care, Mental Health, Hospitals, and Primary Care. This structure is designed to put sector expertise back at the centre of regulation, improve consistency, and strengthen relationships with providers.
Alongside this, the senior leadership team has been strengthened with new appointments in digital, data, finance, and non-executive roles — all aimed at rebuilding trust and credibility.
What’s changing next
The biggest shift for providers lies ahead. Following external reviews and a major public consultation (Better regulation, better care), the CQC is redesigning how services are assessed and rated.
Key areas of focus include:
A clearer, simpler assessment framework
Changes to inspection methodology and how ratings are awarded
Stronger use of data to target risk and support improvement
New digital systems, including improvements to the provider portal
A more consistent approach to how inspectors and providers work together
These changes will be tested and rolled out through 2026–2028, with providers invited to contribute through co-design and engagement opportunities.
What this means for providers
For care services, this signals a return to more regular inspections, clearer expectations, and a stronger emphasis on evidence, governance, and learning from events. Providers will need to show not just that systems exist, but that they are used, reviewed, and effective.
How LSW Care Solutions can support you
At LSW Care Solutions, we help providers translate regulatory change into practical action. We can support you with:
Mock CQC inspections aligned to current and emerging frameworks
Governance and audit systems that evidence oversight and learning
Preparation for inspection under revised methodologies
Support responding to inspections, concerns, or enforcement
Leadership coaching to build confidence in regulatory conversations
If you’d like to understand what these changes could mean for your service — and how to prepare calmly and confidently — we’re here to help.