2.3 Explain the role of the regulator

This guide will help you answer 2.3 Explain the role of the regulator.

In adult social care in England, the main regulator is the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The regulator’s role is to make sure that everyone who uses care services receives safe, high-quality, and well-led care. The regulator acts on behalf of the public to protect people’s rights and well-being.

Setting Standards

The CQC sets out the fundamental standards care services must meet. These are legal requirements and are written into regulations such as the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. The standards cover all key aspects of care, including:

• Safety and protection from harm
• Effective treatment and support
• Respect, dignity, and person-centred care
• Good leadership and governance
• Staffing and workforce checks

The CQC explains what good looks like so that providers know what is expected. These standards help maintain consistency across different services and locations.

Registering Providers and Managers

Before any organisation or individual can legally deliver regulated care services in England, they must register with the CQC. The regulator checks that applicants are suitable, experienced, and capable.

This process involves:

• Checks on criminal records and previous conduct
• Reviewing qualifications and experience
• Examining financial stability and business structure
• Checking for compliance with regulations

The regulator will only register those who meet all the requirements.

Monitoring and Inspection

The CQC carries out regular inspections of care services. These inspections check whether services are:

• Safe
• Effective
• Caring
• Responsive
• Well-led

Inspection teams visit in person, look at records, talk to people using the service and staff, and observe care and routines. This allows the regulator to identify good practice and spot any problems.

The CQC uses its findings to rate each service as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. Inspection reports and ratings are published for the public to see.

Taking Action When Standards Are Not Met

The regulator’s job is not just to assess but to act if there are risks, failings, or breaches of regulations. The CQC can:

• Give feedback or require improvement plans after inspections
• Issue requirement notices or warning notices
• Impose conditions to limit what a provider can do
• Suspend or cancel a provider’s registration
• Issue fines for rule breaches
• Take urgent action to protect people if there is immediate risk

The regulator always seeks to make services safe as soon as possible. Enforcement is used if providers do not respond or risks are very serious.

Promoting People’s Rights

A core part of the regulator’s work is to make sure services protect the rights of people using care. This includes:

• Promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion
• Safeguarding people from abuse or neglect
• Making sure people are given choices and are involved in their own care
• Ensuring providers listen to complaints and feedback

The CQC uses feedback from people using services, families, and staff to guide inspections and action.

Sharing Information and Learning

The regulator publishes detailed reports on services and wider trends in care. These reports highlight best practices, common problems, and key lessons. This helps:

• Inform public choice about care services
• Guide providers toward improvement
• Influence policy at a local and national level

Inspection reports are freely available online, helping the public make informed decisions and holding providers to account.

Working with Other Agencies

The CQC works closely with other agencies, such as:

• Local authorities
• NHS bodies
• Safeguarding boards
• Police
• Professional regulators (such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council)

Working in partnership helps the regulator respond to complex cases and protect people more effectively.

Supporting Improvement

The CQC is not only about enforcing rules. It encourages services to improve by:

• Sharing examples of excellence
• Providing resources and guidance
• Explaining what needs to change

Providers can use inspection feedback as a tool for learning and development.

Independently and Transparently

As an independent body, the CQC is not influenced by government, providers, or any particular group. This independence is essential for building trust. The regulator publishes its findings openly, creating transparency for the public and accountability for providers.

Final Thoughts

The regulator’s role in adult social care is to set standards, register and inspect services, take action to protect people, promote rights, and encourage ongoing improvement. By carrying out these responsibilities, the regulator helps ensure that adult care services are safe, effective, caring, and responsive for everyone who depends on them.