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Follow our page on Linkedin Care England responds to CQC report
Care England has responded to the findings of Sir Mike Richards’ report on the CQC’s Single Assessment Framework. Key failures identified by the report include the overcomplicated nature of the Framework, delays in inspection reporting, and the damaging impact of the new regulatory platform. Welcoming the recommendations set out in the report, Care England raised the following key concerns: n The reduction in the number of inspections and significant delays in publishing reports have undermined the CQC’s ability to regulate effectively, creating confusion and uncertainty for providers.
n The disconnection between operational delivery and clinical leadership, highlighted in the review, has contributed to a loss of expertise and accountability in the inspection process.
n With high levels of staff turnover and low morale, it is clear that the CQC’s restructuring has had a detrimental effect on its workforce, further exacerbating delays and inconsistencies in inspections.
Care England chief executive Professor Martin Green OBE said:
“Sir Mike Richards’ report confirms
the deep-rooted challenges we have seen first-hand in recent years. The CQC’s restructuring and its Single Assessment Framework have, quite simply, not worked. These changes have placed unnecessary pressure on the sector, delayed critical inspections, and demoralised both CQC staff and care providers alike. Urgent action is needed to address these failings and rebuild trust.
“The findings of this review are a wake- up call for the CQC. The fundamental reset
proposed by Sir Mike Richards is essential if we are to see real improvements. The lack of clinical oversight, inadequate training for new staff, and the complexity of the assessment framework are all issues that need immediate resolution. These are not just operational challenges – they are impacting the care and safety of vulnerable people across health and social care settings, and care providers are being charged for services that aren’t being delivered. “The sector cannot afford further delays
… Providers are working in an incredibly challenging environment, and the regulatory framework must support them, not hinder them. We need a system that is fair, transparent, and fit for purpose – one that empowers providers to improve and ensures that those who use our services receive the highest standards of care. “The path forward is clear. We need a regulator that listens, learns, and leads – working with the sector to rebuild a system that places quality, safety, and trust at its heart.”
News
National Care Forum welcomes Employment Rights Bill
The National Care Forum has responded to the publication of the Employment Rights Bill, which will have implications for care workers’ rights.
The bill includes statutory sick pay
from day one, enhanced parental and caring rights, a ban on certain zero-hours contracts, enhanced trade union rights, an enforcement system in the form a Fair Work Agency, and the legislative underpinning necessary to introduce a Fair Pay Agreement for care workers. NCF CEO Vic Rayner OBE said: “We
welcome any measures to strengthen the rights and improve the pay, terms, and conditions of the social care workforce who make a significant contribution to our economy and the lives of millions of people. It is also encouraging to see that the definition of a ‘social care worker’ in the legislation encompasses the wide diversity of people working in the sector, and not
just those in registered services. However, these measures must be accompanied by the financial and wider support necessary for providers to implement them, as well as interim measures to boost care worker pay. This bill represents a significant step change in basic employment rights which we welcome, and it will be important that employers are supported to deliver these for all workers delivering vital public care services. “The implementation of a Fair Pay
Agreement for care workers must be backed by state funding as the matter can’t simply be passed to local authorities and employers in an unfunded manner, or it will fail. The success of a Fair Pay Agreement is predicated upon the shared efforts of employers, commissioners, and central government ensuring that resourcing and investment is in the right place to enable sustained increases in wages and the maintenance of pay differentials in more senior roles.
“As well as the investment needed to
ensure every care worker receives the fair pay increase they deserve, the state will need to support the creation of a care sector employers’ organisation, similar to the role NHS Employers plays, to sit as part of the Adult Social Care Negotiating Body alongside Trade Unions. “We know this is a marathon and not a sprint and it will take several years to establish a Fair Pay Agreement and accompanying infrastructure. While that takes place, we urge the government to use the Budget, or Financial Statement in Spring, to implement interim measures to improve the pay of care workers. “We invite the government to work with us and our not-profit-members to support the implementation of enhanced workers’ rights and its plans to introduce a Fair Pay Agreement for care workers and build a National Care Service.”
November 2024
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
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