The Care Quality Commission has said providers, people using services and other stakeholders want a more consistent, respectful and expert-led approach to regulation, following a programme of regional roadshows held across England.
In a blog reflecting on the events, Care Quality Commission adult social care and integrated care chief inspector Chris Badger said the roadshows were designed to help shape "a new collective vision for what good quality regulation looks and feels like".
Mr. Badger said a common message from attendees was that providers wanted consistency from the regulator, respectful engagement and inspection teams with a strong understanding of the sectors they oversee.
"We also know that providers and other partners want us to work with consistency, to be treated with respect, and for our teams to understand the services we regulate in depth," he said.
The roadshows formed part of the regulator's wider programme of engagement as it works to improve how it regulates health and social care services. The CQC has said it is making changes following reviews led by Dr Penny Dash and Professor Sir Mike Richards, both published in October 2024.
The watchdog has since brought in a series of wide reforms, including the introduction of separate chief inspectors and inspection frameworks for mental health, hospitals, primary care and social care.
Mr Badger said participants consistently told the regulator they wanted CQC teams to have a deeper understanding of the services they regulate and to apply regulatory judgements fairly and consistently.
“Providers and other partners want us to work with consistency, to be treated with respect, and for our teams to understand the services we regulate in depth,” he said.
His comments come after the watchdog said it would be introducing new training for its inspector workforce “to help support and protect provider welfare”.
Calls for trusted regulation
Themes raised during the roadshows come after the Care Provider Alliance's (CPA) review of the CQC single assessment framework published last year, which found that operators support "effective, proportionate regulation that they can trust" and called for changes to the operation of the framework, assessment experience, communication and organisational culture.
The roadshow programme also aligns with wider sector calls for a more transparent and collaborative relationship between regulators and providers.
National Care Forum chief executive and former CPA chair Vic Rayner has previously urged the regulator to work closely with providers as reforms are developed, saying rebuilding confidence will require meaningful engagement across the sector.
Mr Badger said feedback gathered during the events would help inform future improvements to regulation.
He added that the discussions highlighted a shared commitment across providers, people using services and regulators to develop a regulatory approach that supports quality improvement while providing assurance about the safety and effectiveness of care.
The roadshows included feedback on how inspections and assessments are carried out, approaches to ratings, communication with providers and the practical challenges services face in delivering care.
Mr Badger said feedback from the events would be used to inform CQC's future regulatory model and ongoing work to improve its systems and processes.
Sector feedback shaping reforms
The latest engagement exercise follows a broader programme of consultation and co-design activity undertaken by CQC as it seeks to respond to concerns raised by the adult social care sector.
Feedback from providers has previously highlighted frustrations around inconsistency, delays and communication issues, while sector bodies have repeatedly called for greater clarity around assessment processes and ratings.
Mr Badger said the regulator would continue listening to providers, partners and people with lived experience as it develops future reforms, with the overarching aim of creating a regulatory approach that is more effective, trusted and responsive to the realities of frontline care delivery.
