CQC picks former York adult care chief as adviser

A former director of adult social care has been appointed to advise the Care Quality Commission on social care.

A former director of adult social care has been appointed to advise the Care Quality Commission on social care.

Bill Hodson, formerly director of housing and adult social services at York Council, described his role as a “critical friend” to the regulator.

“It pays to bring in someone from outside the organisation,” he said. “I bring a different perspective and I hope people talk to me a bit differently because of that. It frees me up to say things people wouldn’t if they’re a full-time employee or a provider.”

Until now, chief executive Cynthia Bower has been the only member of the CQC’s executive team with social care experience – and she left the sector in 1995.

Having only recently ceased to work in social care, Hodson said he could bring fresh experience to the commission.

His first priority will be to speak to social services directors, the Department of Health and the Local Government Association on integrating health and social care.

Hodson will work with the commission one day a week over the next year.

The commission has also appointed Barbara Laing, former senior manager at housing and care provider Anchor, to advise on the process of registering care providers. She will work with the CQC until October.

The process has faced difficulties after providers complained about a lack of communication from the regulator about how to register and the CQC admitted administrative errors in notifying some providers about making their applications.

However, in the first round of registrations, more than 90% sent in their applications on time.

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