The Care Quality Commission’s single assessment framework was introduced with one clear purpose: to raise care standards across the sector. A goal shared by every provider. Delivering this level of change at scale is complex, and while the ambition is right, the transition has brought challenges such as registration delays, inspection backlogs, and increased documentation demands. These issues reflect the size of the task, not a lack of commitment from the regulator.
The CQC is actively working to address these challenges following independent reviews, but providers still face operational and financial pressures. Understanding these pressures, and planning for them, can help providers stay focused on what matters most – delivering outstanding care.
Registration delays remain a challenge
Registration delays continue to impact providers as the new framework beds in. For example, CQC performance data shows 54% of pending registration applications exceeded the 10-week target at the end of 2023–24, up from 22% the previous year. Industry reports suggest applications can take up to six months to process. These delays often mean new care homes sit empty and funding is held back until registration is confirmed, adding pressure for providers and the regulator alike.
While the CQC’s intention is never to stifle care capacity nor quality, these delays highlight the challenge of balancing rigorous standards with the urgent need to bring new services online.
Re-inspection backlogs create prolonged uncertainty
Inspection backlogs add further complexity. According to the Homecare Association, 70.3% of community social care providers either have never been rated or have ratings that are 4–8+ years old, up from 60% in August 2024.
The average wait for re-inspection after a ‘requires improvement’ rating is now 360 days — a 153% increase since 2015. For homecare, uninspected locations rose 64% in 14 months between June 2024 and August 2025 from 2,879 to 4,727. At current inspection rates, the backlog will continue to grow.
These delays have real consequences for providers, but they also affect care seekers and commissioners who depend on current ratings to make confident, informed choices. When ratings are outdated or missing, it can restrict options and make decisions harder. Which is clearly something the CQC is committed to improving through transparency and timely assessments. At the same time, these challenges underline the scale of the task facing the CQC as it works to deliver a more consistent, modern regulatory approach.
Framework complexity reflects ambition
The single assessment framework introduced significant complexity, requiring structured approaches to evidence and documentation. Independent reviews have highlighted these challenges.
Professor Sir Mike Richards’ review stated the framework “is far too complex and, as currently constituted, does not allow for the huge differences in the size, complexity and range of functions of the services that CQC regulates.” Initially, the framework required six evidence types for each quality statement, up to 204 evaluation points, though this was simplified in December 2024.
Even with revisions, compliance remains demanding. This reflects the CQC’s ambition to raise standards and drive best practice across the sector. While the process can feel challenging for providers, the intention is not to penalise or create unnecessary burden, the ultimate goal is to ensure safer, higher-quality care for the people who rely on these services. Providers therefore need systematic ways to organise evidence and maintain audit trails to align with this shared mission.
Understanding the broader impact
While £50,000 is the maximum penalty for compliance failures, the bigger challenge lies in maintaining standards amid reduced inspections and extended delays. Inspections have fallen sharply from around 16,000 in 2019/20 to approximately 6,700 in 2023/24, making progress harder to evidence.
Financial impact goes beyond fines: in the residential care home sector, Knight Frank research shows that inadequate-rated homes operate at profit margins of around 22%, compared with 34% for outstanding-rated homes – a significant disparity that compounds over time. Occupancy rates also drop when ratings remain outdated, as families and commissioners seek higher-rated alternatives.
In a competitive market, this new framework can ultimately have a positive impact by creating more robust standards and building trust among care seekers. It also provides a clearer roadmap for providers needing improvement, helping them demonstrate progress and raise their potential over time. While it may not feel that way pre- or post-audit, the intention is to lift quality across the sector. These pressures highlight why proactive compliance planning is essential, not just for providers’ commercial stability, but to support the shared goal of improving care quality.
Regulatory improvements underway
The CQC acknowledges these challenges and is implementing improvements following reviews by Dr Penny Dash and Professor Sir Mike Richards. These include stabilising its regulatory platform, upgrading the provider portal, and refining processes to make compliance smoother.
Dr Dash emphasised that effective regulation “can identify failings in the delivery of care and assist providers in making improvements,” while Richards recommended a fundamental reset, noting success depends on recruiting and training sufficient inspection staff with sector expertise.
These steps will help, but the single assessment framework, with its 34 quality statements and comprehensive evidence requirements, remains central to compliance. Providers will still need robust systems to organise evidence, track compliance, and maintain audit trails.
How Certa supports providers through regulatory complexity
Certa helps providers turn compliance challenges into manageable processes
Streamlined evidence preparation: Generate comprehensive inspection-ready reports quickly, reducing stress and saving time.
Real-time compliance monitoring: Track essential checks like DBS, right-to-work, and care plan reviews, with alerts to prevent non-compliance.
Communication logs: Capture compliments, complaints, and key interactions with full audit trails for inspection evidence.
Advanced medication management: Electronic MAR integrated with NHS Medicines API ensures accuracy and visibility, with alerts for missed doses.
Conclusion
Beyond compliance, Certa gives providers a competitive edge. By combining regulatory tools with care planning, scheduling, and family engagement in one platform, Certa helps providers stay compliant, protect revenue, and deliver exceptional experiences that set them apart in a crowded market. Regulatory complexity doesn’t have to be a barrier – with the right systems, providers can focus on what matters most: outstanding care.
Discover how Certa can enhance your regulatory readiness and operational excellence at: www.caci.co.uk/software/certa