CQC September 2026 update: what care providers need to know
CQC is increasing assessment activity and making progress on registration delays. For care providers, its latest Board update is a useful prompt to check whether your evidence reflects the quality of care you deliver today.
The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) public Board meeting on 17 September 2026 highlighted progress in its recovery programme, alongside continuing work to improve how it regulates health and social care services in England.
For providers, registered managers and leadership teams, the key question is practical: could your service confidently demonstrate safe, effective and well-led care if CQC assessed it now?
Here, we look at the main developments and what they mean for your organisation.
CQC assessment activity is increasing
The September update reported that CQC had completed 10,328 assessments, exceeding its target of 9,000 assessments by September 2026.
Published reporting of the meeting also indicated that monthly assessment activity had increased from around 450 in April 2025 to approximately 800 more recently. These figures suggest that CQC’s recovery work is translating into greater assessment capacity.
Our view is that providers should build readiness into their routine governance. A lengthy gap since your last assessment is a reason to check your current position, particularly if your service, leadership or staffing has changed.
An existing rating provides important context, but your evidence needs to show what people experience in your service today.
Older ratings and the ‘Return to Good’ approach
CQC is working to address older ratings through its ‘Return to Good’ programme for adult social care services.
The programme involves reassessing services rated Good where CQC’s information suggests that the rating is likely to have been maintained. Its purpose is to confirm whether the existing rating remains accurate, with a significant proportion of activity focused on services with older ratings.
CQC has made clear that it will respond robustly where it identifies poor care. Participation in this programme does not guarantee that a Good rating will be retained.
For providers, this makes it important to connect your records with what happens in practice. Can staff explain how they meet people’s needs? Do care records reflect current risks and preferences? Can leaders show how they identify concerns and check that improvements are working?
A focused assessment still requires clear evidence of good-quality care.
CQC registration performance is improving
Registration was another area of reported progress.
The September update indicated that approximately 84% of registrations were being completed within 10 weeks, exceeding CQC’s target of 80%.
The number of applications waiting longer than 10 weeks had also reportedly fallen from around 1,000 at the beginning of the year to approximately 120 by the Board meeting.
For organisations planning a new service or changes to their registration, this is encouraging. However, providers should still allow sufficient time to prepare their application and respond to requests for further information.
Before submitting, check that your application and supporting documents:
- Accurately describe the service you intend to provide.
- Contain consistent information about your staffing, leadership and operating arrangements.
- Reflect the needs of the people who will use the service.
- Explain how your proposed arrangements will meet the relevant regulatory requirements.
A well-prepared application helps CQC understand your service and reduces the likelihood of avoidable queries or rework.
Changes to CQC’s assessment approach are still being developed
Alongside its operational recovery, CQC is rebuilding its regulatory approach and digital services.
Its August update outlined plans to improve the provider portal, develop sector-specific assessment frameworks and guidance, strengthen regulatory data, and create more consistent assessment and registration processes.
CQC has also been piloting and testing a new assessment approach. Its published pilot guidance states that these assessments run alongside existing inspections.
Providers should therefore follow developments while continuing to work against the requirements and assessment arrangements that currently apply to their service.
The practical priority remains consistent: understand your risks, act on concerns and maintain evidence that demonstrates the quality of care being delivered.
What should care providers focus on now?
At Care 4 Quality, we recommend using this update as an opportunity to test how confidently your service can demonstrate its current performance.
- Check that previous improvements have been sustained
Revisit your last CQC report and any resulting action plans. Check whether actions have been completed and whether subsequent audits, feedback and observations show that the changes are working.
Closing an action is one step. Demonstrating its impact gives you stronger assurance.
- Make sure your evidence reflects current care
Review whether care plans, risk assessments, staffing records and training information accurately reflect your service today.
Where you have introduced improvements since your last assessment, make sure you can explain what changed, why it changed and what difference it has made.
- Test whether governance identifies and resolves concerns
Consider whether your audits and oversight arrangements give leaders a reliable picture of quality.
Can you show how concerns are escalated, who takes responsibility and how you check that corrective action has been effective?
- Check staff understanding and confidence
Policies need to be understood and applied consistently.
Use supervision, team discussions and observations to check whether staff can explain their responsibilities, recognise concerns and describe how they support people safely and effectively.
- Use feedback to strengthen your service
Consider what people using your service, their relatives and your staff are telling you.
Look for recurring themes and keep a clear record of the action taken. This helps demonstrate that feedback informs decisions and leads to meaningful improvements.
How Care 4 Quality can help
CQC’s increased activity reinforces the value of keeping inspection readiness part of everyday service management.
Regular checks can help you identify gaps early, prioritise improvements and give your leadership team greater confidence in the quality of care being delivered.
Care 4 Quality supports providers through mock inspections, compliance reviews, registration support, and policy.
Our specialists help you understand where your service stands and focus on the improvements that matter, with practical support shaped around your organisation.
Want a clearer picture of your service’s readiness? Speak to us about the support you need.
Email us at [email protected] or call us on 08083 037629
