The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is proposing a significant shift in how services are assessed. With the launch of its latest consultation, the regulator is proposing moving away from the generic “quality statements” of the current Single Assessment Framework (SAF) toward a more structured, sector-specific approach that looks and feels very much like the KLOES that the SAF replaced.
There are some changes to the order of the KLOES, and some of the focus areas, but nothing dramatic and there is a chance for everyone to respond to the consultation and share opinions. Also, CQC is publicly stating that they will ensure that they get it right this time, listen to views and phase any release of new ways of working.
A Proposed Core Change: From Statements to Questions
Perhaps the most fundamental proposed shift is the removal of the 34 “Quality Statements.” While these were intended to simplify the process, feedback suggested they were often too broad and difficult to apply consistently across different settings.
In their place, CQC is planning to introduce 24 Key Lines of Enquiry. Instead of a passive statement like “We involve people in their care,” inspectors will now work against specific, investigative questions. For example: “How does the service ensure that people’s preferences and choices are reflected in their daily care and support?” These questions act as a direct bridge between high-level expectations and the actual evidence gathered on the ground.
Inspecting Against the Five Key Questions
The “Five Key Questions” – Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led – remain the bedrock of the framework. However, the way they are assessed is becoming more granular. Each key question is now supported by these new structured questions, or KLOES, tailored specifically to the service you work in. This ensures that “Well-led” for a small home-care agency is judged against different, more relevant criteria than a large acute hospital.
Underneath each KLOE there is also a list of topic areas that will inform what the inspector will look for to provide evidence that the KLOE is being met. For example, under Safe Systems, Pathways and Transitions the consultation document states that the following topics will be instrumental when defining the scope of the KLOE:
- Care co-ordination and information sharing
- Continuity and transitions of care (including from children to adult services)
- Referrals
- Delegation (for example, clinical/healthcare activities)
Defining Quality: The “Rating Characteristics”
A major addition to the proposed 2026 framework is the introduction of Rating Characteristics. These are detailed descriptions of what “Outstanding,” “Good,” “Requires Improvement,” and “Inadequate” may look like for each KLOE. Again, these were in place before the SAF so there is no great surprise in what CQC are saying in this consultation.
By providing these clear benchmarks, CQC aims to remove the “guesswork” often associated with any judgement, and they are trying to be as transparent as possible as the inspectors have the same information as the provider. Also, the evidence they have used to come to a judgement or rating will be able to be compared with the ratings characteristics.
Why This Matters
This consultation is a major step forward to regaining the trust of providers and marks a return to clarity. There will be more information released to support this framework, but this is the start of a new era, and a chance to influence what the future of regulation will look like.
Providers and stakeholders are encouraged to review the draft tables and share their feedback before the consultation closes on 12 June 2026. This is your opportunity to ensure the new framework is practical, transparent, and most importantly, focused on the people receiving care.
All the information can be found here, including how to submit a response to the consultation:
https://www.cqc.org.uk/about-us/how-we-involve-you/consultations/give-your-views-draft-sector-specific-assessment-frameworks
How QCS Can Support You
At QCS, we speak to providers every day who tell us the same thing, inspections are not just about the day itself. They are about the systems, habits and culture that shape everyday practice. The QCS Operating System is designed to support that reality.
And as the CQC’s framework evolves QCS gives teams the clarity and structure they need.
QCS provides:
- A complete suite of QCS Policies and Procedures aligned with the Assessment Framework
- QCS Mock Inspections that help test readiness and demonstrate effective governance
- Key audits requested by the regulator
- QCS Feedback Surveys for staff, people who use services and partners, all aligned with the Assessment framework
- Lyra, our AI technology that gives staff instant, practical guidance based on your own policies
Our goal is simple. We help providers feel confident, supported and ready for inspection, even as regulatory activity evolves and increases.
