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CQC’s New Single Assessment Framework: What It Means for You and How to Get Ready

date01/09/2025
bookmarkCase Study
authorSmall Care Home Group
Group 339

CQC’s New Single Assessment Framework: What It Means for You and How to Get Ready

 

What are the 5 questions CQC asks?

If you work in care, you’ve probably heard that CQC inspections are changing. The CQC Single Assessment Framework is being rolled out across the country, and it’s going to affect how every provider is judged.

We get it, it can feel like the goalposts are moving while the match is already being played. But it doesn’t have to be scary. With the right prep, the SAF is just another way to show the great work you’re already doing.

At Kata Care, we’re working with providers every day on CQC inspection readiness, governance, and turnaround projects, so here’s our take on what’s changing and how to stay ahead.

1. Evidence is now continuous, not just one-off

Gone are the days where you could polish everything up for “CQC inspection day” and breathe a sigh of relief when the inspector left.

Under the SAF, evidence is gathered all the time. CQC will draw on:

  • What you tell them in provider returns (PIR)

  • Feedback from families and staff

  • Data from digital care systems

  • Local authority reports

  • Previous inspection history

What that means for you: keep everything CQC inspection-ready all year round. Care plans up to date, audits done and logged, governance meetings recorded, family feedback gathered and acted on. Every day good practice is now what inspectors will be looking at.

2. Quality statements are the new backbone

The old KLOEs are out. In come quality statements — simpler, sharper, and more direct.

They sit under the five familiar key questions (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-led) but focus more on how you deliver quality.

For example: instead of “Are staff trained?” a quality statement asks how staff training supports safe, effective care.

What that means for you: start mapping your evidence against quality statements now. Make sure managers and team leads know this language and can link what they do day-to-day back to these statements.

3. Governance and leadership are non-negotiable

Weak leadership is the number one reason services struggle. The new framework turns the spotlight up even brighter on governance and accountability.

CQC will expect managers and leaders to:

  • Know their service inside out

  • Have a live improvement plan on the go

  • Show oversight through regular audits and reviews

  • Keep policies up to date and embedded in practice

What that means for you: invest in leadership. Support your Registered Manager. Give them time, training and tools. And if you need a safe pair of hands quickly, bring in interim management to stabilise the service.

4. Continuous improvement is expected

Compliance alone won’t cut it anymore. Inspectors want to see that you’re always learning and improving — not just reacting.

That could mean:

  • Recording lessons learned from complaints or incidents

  • Updating practice after audits or safeguarding alerts

  • Involving staff and residents in shaping service improvements

  • Keeping a running action plan with progress tracked

What that means for you: make improvement part of your culture. Keep the action plan live, celebrate progress with your team, and show inspectors that you never stand still.

5. Practical steps to take today

If you want to feel confident about the Single Assessment Framework, here’s where to start:

  • Book a mock inspection based on the SAF

  • Audit your current evidence against quality statements

  • Get policies reviewed and aligned with CQC expectations

  • Train your managers in inspection readiness and governance

  • Strengthen leadership (permanent or interim) before gaps appear

How Kata Care Can Help

The Single Assessment Framework is new, but supporting providers through change is what we do best.

We’re already helping services up and down the country with:

It doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right support, you can turn the SAF into an opportunity to show off the good work you’re already doing.

Final thought

CQC’s new approach isn’t about catching providers out. It’s about raising standards across the board. Services with strong leadership, solid governance, and a culture of improvement won’t just cope with the changes — they’ll thrive.

If you want a clear picture of where you stand, get in touch with the team at Kata Care. A proactive step today could save you a whole lot of stress.