Guidance issued on how providers can meet new care standards and avoid CQC action

Guidance on how providers can meet new regulations for delivering social care have been issued for consultation by the Care Quality Commission.

The regulations are due to come into force next April for adult social care providers and involve the replacement of the existing essential standards of quality and safety, with 11 “fundamental standards” of care.

In addition, providers will be required to ensure their directors are “fit and proper persons” to lead a care organisation and be under a “duty of candour” to tell service users and relatives about serious failings in their care. Both of these measures would also come into force next April for adult care providers.

The CQC is asking for feedback on how clear and helpful the guidance is, as well as consulting on the use of beefed-up powers of enforcement against providers that do not meet standards.

David Behan, chief executive of the Care Quality Commission, said: “Where our inspection teams identify poor care, this guidance will help us to determine whether there is a breach of regulations and if so, what action to take. In some cases, this will mean we will use our powers to prosecute.

“For providers, this will help them to make applications to register or vary their registration with CQC, and to make sure their services do not fall below acceptable levels.”

Providers can respond to the consultation here; the closing date is Friday 17 October 2014.