Adult social care · HealthcareNews
CQC is prioritising services with old ratings or safeguarding concerns
Published 27 October 2026 · Drafted with AI, checked by an editor
CQC has moved to a risk-based approach and set a target of 9,000 assessments by September 2026.
What changedCQC set out changes to how it regulates adult social care, focusing first on the highest-risk services.Who it affectsAdult social care providers, especially those with older ratings or never inspected.What to doIf your rating is several years old, expect an assessment and prepare your evidence now.Key datesRegistration changes took effect 9 February 2026. Target of 9,000 assessments by September 2026.
Priority goes to services with safeguarding concerns, higher-risk providers not yet assessed, services registered for over a year but never inspected, and providers with older ratings.
CQC also changed its registration process: incomplete applications are returned on receipt.
Original source
Clyde & Co: CQC announces key changes to adult social care regulation
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Clyde & Co: CQC announces key changes to adult social care regulation
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