Last updated: 10 July 2026
The Care Quality Commission's new single assessment framework, set to launch in 2026, represents the biggest shake-up to care inspections in over a decade. For care home providers across England, this isn't just another regulatory tweak. It's a fundamental shift in how quality will be measured and reported.
If you're running a care home or managing quality assurance, now is the time to understand what's coming and start preparing. The good news? The transition period gives you breathing room to adapt your systems, train your team, and get ahead of the curve.
What Is the Single Assessment Framework?
The CQC's single assessment framework will replace the current dual system of rating adult social care and healthcare services separately. Instead of the familiar five key questions (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-led), the new model introduces four quality statements that apply across all health and social care settings.
These quality statements focus on people's experiences, safety and safeguarding, the workforce, and leadership and governance. The framework aims to create consistency in how quality is assessed, whether you're running a care home, a dental practice, or a GP surgery.
For care home providers, this means moving away from sector-specific expectations toward universal quality markers. The CQC has been clear that this approach should reduce duplication, make assessments more proportionate, and provide a clearer picture of quality across the entire health and care system.
The framework will continue to use ratings (Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, and Inadequate), but the evidence gathering and assessment process will look quite different. Expect more emphasis on continuous monitoring, data collection, and people's lived experiences.
Understanding the Four Quality Statements
The new framework centres on four broad quality statements that care providers will need to demonstrate.
The first covers people's experiences and centres on person-centred care, dignity, respect, and ensuring people can live fulfilling lives. For care homes, this means showing how you support residents' individual preferences, promote independence, and involve people in decisions about their care.
Safety and safeguarding form the second quality statement. Beyond preventing harm, this includes responding appropriately when things go wrong, learning from incidents, and maintaining safe environments. Care homes will need robust systems for risk management, medication safety, and infection prevention.
The third statement addresses workforce and culture. This recognises that quality care depends on having the right people with the right skills, working in a positive environment. The CQC will look at recruitment, training, staff wellbeing, and whether your workplace culture supports learning and improvement.
Finally, leadership and governance examines how well your organisation is run. This covers strategic planning, resource management, quality assurance, and partnership working. Care homes will need to demonstrate effective governance structures and show how leaders drive continuous improvement.
Key Changes to the Assessment Process
The assessment process itself will change significantly. The CQC is moving toward more frequent, lighter-touch monitoring rather than relying primarily on periodic inspections. This means ongoing engagement with the regulator through regular data submissions and relationship management.
Inspections won't disappear, but they'll be more targeted and risk-based. The CQC will use the data they collect continuously to decide when and where to conduct on-site assessments. Care homes with strong performance indicators might see less frequent visits, whilst services showing potential concerns will receive more attention.
Digital platforms will play a bigger role. The CQC is developing new systems for providers to submit information and evidence electronically. This should streamline reporting but will require care homes to have robust data collection processes in place.
The evidence base will broaden too. Alongside traditional inspection observations and document reviews, assessors will draw more heavily on feedback from people using services, their families, and staff. Your online reputation, complaints handling, and stakeholder relationships will all feed into the assessment.
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Practical Steps to Prepare Now
Start by auditing your current quality assurance systems against the four quality statements. Where are your strengths? Where might you need to develop? This gap analysis will help you prioritise your preparation efforts.
Strengthen your data infrastructure. The new framework relies heavily on evidence you can demonstrate through records, outcomes data, and tracking systems. If your care planning, incident reporting, or staff training records aren't digitised and easily accessible, now's the time to address this. Blue Cactus Digital has worked with care providers to improve their digital maturity, and we've seen how better systems don't just help with compliance but actually improve care delivery.
Invest in staff engagement and development. With workforce culture becoming a distinct quality statement, your team needs to be ready. Consider how you gather staff feedback, what professional development opportunities you offer, and whether your workplace culture genuinely supports learning. Regular supervision, accessible training, and clear career pathways all demonstrate your commitment to workforce quality.
Enhance your service user feedback mechanisms. The framework places significant weight on people's experiences, so you need reliable ways to capture, analyse, and act on what residents and families tell you. This goes beyond annual surveys to include regular check-ins, accessible complaints processes, and evidence of how feedback leads to improvements.
Build your digital presence and reputation management. With assessors likely to review online feedback and your public-facing communications, ensure your website accurately reflects your services and values. Respond professionally to online reviews and maintain active, appropriate social media channels.
Develop your evidence library. Start documenting your quality improvement initiatives, positive outcomes, and learning from incidents. The more evidence you can readily provide, the smoother the assessment process will be. Think about case studies that demonstrate person-centred care, examples of successful partnership working, and data showing positive trends in key metrics.
Working with Your Local ICS
The new framework emphasises system-wide working, so strengthen your relationships with your local Integrated Care System. Care homes that can demonstrate effective collaboration with health partners, contribute to system priorities, and participate in local quality improvement initiatives will be better positioned.
Attend local provider forums, engage with ICS consultations, and look for opportunities to share learning with other care providers. The CQC will be interested in how you contribute to the broader health and care landscape, not just what happens within your four walls.
Making the Transition Manageable
The shift to the single assessment framework might feel daunting, but remember that fundamentals of good care remain unchanged. If you're already providing person-centred, safe, well-led care, you're most of the way there. The framework is really about demonstrating and evidencing what you do, rather than fundamentally changing your approach.
Break down your preparation into manageable chunks. You don't need to overhaul everything at once. Focus on one quality statement at a time, or tackle specific areas where you know you need development. Small, consistent improvements will get you ready without overwhelming your team.
Stay informed as the CQC releases more detailed guidance. The regulator has committed to extensive consultation and support during the transition. Sign up for CQC updates, attend webinars, and don't hesitate to ask questions through your inspector or engagement lead.
Conclusion
The CQC's single assessment framework represents a significant evolution in how care quality is measured and regulated. For care home providers willing to engage early with the changes, it offers an opportunity to strengthen quality assurance systems, improve evidence gathering, and demonstrate the excellent care you already provide.
By understanding the four quality statements, strengthening your data and digital capabilities, and building a culture of continuous improvement, you can approach 2026 with confidence. The providers who thrive under the new framework will be those who see it not as a compliance burden but as a chance to showcase their commitment to quality care. Start preparing now, and you'll be well-positioned when the new assessment model goes live.
Sources
Care Quality Commission - A new strategy for the changing world of health and social care: https://www.cqc.org.uk/about-us/our-strategy-plans/new-strategy-changing-world-health-social-care-cqcs-strategy-2021
Care Quality Commission - Single assessment framework consultation: https://www.cqc.org.uk/get-involved/consultations/single-assessment-framework
NHS England - Integrated Care Systems: https://www.england.nhs.uk/integratedcare/what-is-integrated-care/
Skills for Care - The state of the adult social care sector and workforce in England: https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/adult-social-care-workforce-data/Workforce-intelligence/publications/national-information/The-state-of-the-adult-social-care-sector-and-workforce-in-England.aspx
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