On 28th February, CQC announced an update on their approach to regulating Local Authorities, and has published interim guidance for thier assessments.
CQC plans to use its new single assessment framework in a tailored way to assess LAs and eventually ICSs – this will involve giving ratings. In terms of its powers to assess LAs, CQC expects the new powers to go live in April and will work to expand and update the interim guidance published today as the model is developed.
Between April and September 2023, CQC will start to review data and published documentary evidence across all LAs, focusing on themes in the following 2 quality statements:
- Care provision, integration and continuity
- Assessing needs They will also look at themes and insight on:
- Access
- Commissioning
- Market shaping
- Workforce
- Personalisation
This data and evidence won’t be published at an individual LA level but will be used to create a national review. There will be a limited number of pilot assessments in this first period of up to 5 LAs.
Between September to December 2023, CQC will begin to carry out initial formal assessments, aiming for 20 in this period. From early 2024 onwards, CQC will continue these initial formal assessments. There are no timescales yet on when ICSs will be assessed. CQC is waiting on the outcomes of the Hewitt Review and discussions with DHSC about the best way forward. Guidance will be published for ICSs as well.
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