The CQC has appointed Chris Badger as its new Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care.
Badger will be joining CQC in September from Hertfordshire County Council, where he is currently director of adult care services. He has spent 15 years working across roles in adult social care, and has shown clear commitment to improving the care provided to people who use and rely on adult social care services.
As Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care, Badger will lead on CQC's regulation of services which provide care to older people and adults with complex care needs. He will also have oversight of CQC’s role in assessing how local authorities meet their duties to provide adult social care and support for people in their area under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014.
CQC chief executive Sir Julian Hartley said: "I am delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Badger as our new Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care. He has shown unwavering commitment in his career to ensuring people who use adult social care services receive the highest level of care.
"The challenges faced by adult social care in England have been well documented, around funding and recruitment and retention of staff. Chris's experience of working directly with providers, councils and people who use adult social care will be important in improving how we regulate the sector, and setting high standards for the care provided.
"I would also like to thank James Bullion as departing Interim Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care, who did not apply for the role, and whose professionalism and experience has proved invaluable over the last two years. On behalf of all at CQC I wish him well for the future."
Chris Badger said: "I’m honoured to be joining CQC as Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care. I’ve seen first-hand the difference great adult social care can have on people’s lives, and the challenges that adult social care faces in this country. I recognise the important role strong regulation plays in helping to ensure people receive the high level of care they deserve. I know there is a shared commitment across care providers and Councils to help develop trusted and robust regulation of the sector.
"Ultimately, it is vitally important that people have access to timely and accurate information when making choices about who supports them. The care they receive should be highly personalised to their needs and aspirations.
"I look forward to meeting CQC colleagues and working together to improve both how we work and our role in wider reforms for adult social care."
