CQC's 2026 Reset: What Care Providers Need to Know Now

The Care Quality Commission is overhauling how it works. After a rough couple of years - inspection backlogs, mounting criticism, internal problems - the regulator has new leadership and a plan to fix things by the end of 2026. If you run a care service, these changes will affect how you’re assessed.

Here’s what’s happening and what you should do about it.

What prompted the reset

In 2024, an independent review found serious problems at CQC. Inspection numbers had dropped well below pre-COVID levels. Many inspectors lacked clinical expertise. Assessments were inconsistent. IT systems weren’t working properly. The regulator that care providers rely on for fair assessment was struggling.

The response has been quick. CQC brought in new leadership - Dr Arun Chopra as Interim Chief Executive and Professor Sir Mike Richards as Chair. The organisation restructured under four Chief Inspectors, each covering a specific sector. The improvement plan runs through the end of 2026.

The backlog is clearing

The assessment backlog was the most visible problem. At the start of 2025, around 500 assessment reports sat waiting to be processed. As of January 2026, that’s down to four.

CQC set a target to publish 9,000 assessments by September 2026. They’re ahead of schedule with over 4,300 published so far. More providers are getting timely ratings, and the system is working more like it should.

For providers, this matters. Your rating will reflect your current performance, not a snapshot from months or years back. You’re also more likely to get an assessment when you request one.

Registration is getting simpler

If you’ve been through CQC registration recently, you know it can drag on. CQC is testing simplified registration forms and has recruited more registration inspectors to cut processing times.

The goal is faster, simpler registration without dropping safeguards. For new providers, this should mean less waiting to get your service running. For existing providers adding services or locations, less paperwork.

New assessment frameworks are coming

The biggest change is a complete redesign of how CQC assesses services. They’ve launched a consultation called “Better Regulation, Better Care” to get input from providers, service users, and other stakeholders.

The timeline:

• Now through spring 2026: Consultation workshops and online sessions
• Spring to summer 2026: Feedback analysis and framework development
• Summer 2026: Final assessment frameworks published
• End of 2026: Implementation starts

This isn’t a minor update. CQC is redesigning their entire regulatory process. The frameworks will be sector-specific - adult social care, hospitals, primary care, and mental health services will each get approaches that fit their context.

What this looks like in practice is still being worked out through the consultation. Expect changes to how evidence is gathered, how ratings are decided, and possibly how the key questions and quality statements work.

What to do now

Don’t just wait and see. Here’s what you can do to prepare and even influence what happens.

Engage with the consultation

CQC is running sector-specific workshops and online sessions to get provider input. If you have views on how regulation should work, now’s your chance. The consultation asks what works, what doesn’t, and what better regulation should look like.

Joining these sessions also helps you see where CQC is heading before changes are final. You’ll be ahead of providers who only wake up when new requirements land.

Get your evidence practices sorted

Whatever the new frameworks look like, CQC will still want evidence that you deliver good care. The shift from processes to outcomes that started with quality statements will likely continue.

Review how you gather and document evidence now. Are you capturing feedback from people using your service regularly? Can you show outcomes, not just activities? Do you have data that shows improvement over time?

Good evidence practices will help you regardless of how the framework changes. For a deeper understanding of what CQC is looking for, read our guide on quality statements and the Single Assessment Framework.

Make sure your compliance is solid now

Changes to assessment frameworks don’t change what good care looks like. If you’re meeting current requirements well, you’ll be in a strong position when new frameworks arrive.

Use this time to fix known gaps. Update policies that have drifted out of date. Complete overdue training. Fix issues you’ve been putting off. A solid foundation now makes adapting to changes much easier.

Stay informed

CQC is publishing regular updates on their improvement work. Make sure someone in your organisation is watching these and sharing relevant information with the team.

Key sources:

• CQC’s official news and updates section
• Sector-specific communications from your Chief Inspector’s team
• Updates from care sector associations and bodies

You don’t need to be caught off guard by regulatory changes if you stay engaged with what CQC is saying.

What about inspections happening now

If you’re expecting an inspection in the coming months, you might wonder whether to wait for the new frameworks. Don’t. Current assessments continue under the existing Single Assessment Framework and quality statements. The new frameworks won’t apply until they’re implemented at the end of 2026.

Prepare for any upcoming inspection based on current requirements. The basics of good care and good evidence stay the same. An inspection under the current framework isn’t wasted effort - everything you do to show quality now will still matter later. For practical preparation steps, learn how to get your business ready for the Single Assessment Framework.

Looking ahead

The CQC reset is an attempt to fix problems that have frustrated providers and damaged confidence in the regulatory system. Whether it works will depend on how well they execute, but the direction looks promising.

For providers, there’s an opportunity here. A regulator that assesses fairly, processes registrations quickly, and engages properly with the sector benefits everyone delivering quality care. Engage with the changes now, get your evidence practices sorted, and keep your compliance solid. You’ll be ready for whatever comes.

We’ll keep watching these developments and share updates as more details come out. If you have questions about how these changes might affect your service, get in touch.