What you need to to know:
- The new assessment approach retains the 5 key questions and uses a 4-point ratings scale, assessing services against quality statements which replace previous KLOEs, prompts, and ratings characteristics.
- CQC gathers evidence on site and off site, grouped into six evidence categories. Assessments can be planned or responsive. Check the latest position on the CQC page on assessing quality and performance.
- CQC now uses its new approach across England, and continues to ask adult social care providers to complete an annual provider information return (PIR).
- During assessments, providers might receive an email notification, and on-site visits may include support from Experts by Experience or specialists. Immediate feedback may be provided post on-site assessments.
- Assessment reports are published online. Providers can check the factual accuracy of a draft report and, after publication, can ask CQC to review whether its rating process was followed. Check the latest position on the CQC rating process review page.
Understanding the New Assessment Approach in Adult Social Care
Introduction to the New Framework
The adult social care sector is changing, bringing new methods for assessing service quality. A significant shift comes with a new assessment framework designed to improve care reliability and quality. This framework keeps the usual 5 key questions but introduces a 4-point rating scale, replacing old elements like KLOEs with quality statements.
What’s New in the Assessment Process?
Evidence Gathering
The approach now includes more diverse evidence collection, both onsite and offsite, grouped into six categories tailored for different care sectors. This ensures thorough evaluations that accurately reflect service quality.
Types of Assessments
New assessments may be responsive or scheduled regularly, with flexibility to adjust their scope as needed during reviews.
Annual Provider Information Return (PIR)
Care providers must continue submitting an annual PIR, which remains essential for assessments.
Implementation Timeline
CQC now uses this framework across England. Providers should keep their registered details and contact information with CQC up to date. Check the latest position on the CQC page on assessing quality and performance.
Communication and Engagement During Assessments
Notification and Documentation
At an assessment’s start, providers get an email notification, possibly including documentation requests necessary for evaluation.
Site Visits and Feedback
Some evaluations might not need site visits; others do involve visiting facilities alongside experts. Providers get immediate feedback after these visits to ensure transparency.
Reporting and Ratings
Scoring System and Transition
After an assessment, CQC scores the quality statements it has assessed and uses these scores to reach a rating. See how CQC reaches a rating.
Providers can review draft reports before they are finalised, ensuring accuracy.
Publication of Reports and Ratings
Completed reports go online, making them accessible to providers and the public while keeping accountability by updating any changes in ratings publicly available.
This new assessment framework is designed to be more dynamic and transparent, aiming to improve both the process and the outcomes for healthcare providers and their clients. Providers are encouraged to keep their contact details up to date and engage actively with the assessment process. For example, the CQC PIR form, which stands for Provider Information Return form, provides a structured format for providers to submit essential information about their services. This form helps standardize the assessment process and ensures that all necessary details are captured. By using CQC PIR form examples as a guide, providers can streamline their assessment submissions and contribute to a more consistent and comprehensive evaluation process.