In my position as Home Care Champion at CareLineLive, I have had the opportunity to explore the varied regulatory landscapes of social care throughout the UK. The distinctions in scope, legal frameworks and inspection priorities have been remarkably enlightening. It is interesting to see how the methodologies and focus criteria can vary significantly between regulators, ranging from enforcement approaches to collaborative working strategies.
An overview
In the UK each devolved nation has its own regulatory body:
- Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW)
- Care Inspectorate in Scotland
- Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) in Northern Ireland
- Care Quality Commission in England
- Jersey Care Commission
CareLineLive’s research
Having conducted extensive research, it is evident that the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and the Care Inspectorate in Scotland provide substantial support to their providers. Their approach to regulation is notably more collaborative and supportive compared to that of their English counterpart, the Care Quality Commission. This fosters an environment conducive to delivering exceptional care.
Learning from other UK regulators
The Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and the Care Inspectorate in Scotland work closely with service providers to enhance care quality. They provide guidance on training, promote best practices and foster supportive environments. This collaborative approach illustrates that it is possible to maintain strong regulation while being fair and supportive. Their staff interact with providers in a present, personal and pragmatic way. Although no regulator is without its challenges, their methods appear more aligned with the sector’s core mission of improving the lives of those who depend on care services.
Jenny Wilde and Beverley Jones, senior lawyers specialising in health and social care at Acuity Law, state in their article titled “The CQC Needs to Learn from Other Regulators,” published in May 2025 in Home Care Insight, that:
“Clients have reported that dealing with Care Inspectorate (Scotland) is like interacting with a fellow care provider and there is no “us and them” approach. The Care Inspectorate’s mission is that “everyone in every community, experiences high quality care, support and learning, tailored to their rights, needs and wishes”. The tone is such that “we” (the Care Inspectorate and the care provider) are for the same reason: to help promote a better outcome for people living in care. There is clear collaboration, and Scottish clients are extremely heartened by the Care Inspectorate’s support.”
CQC: Time for change
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is undergoing a substantial transformation, moving away from its traditional enforcement methodology to embrace a revised model. Although the new single assessment framework encourages a more collaborative approach, it has yet to significantly improve the relationships between regulators and providers. Nonetheless, there is reason to be optimistic about the CQC’s progress towards a more cooperative future.
Recent discussions with inspectors have been quite encouraging. Conversations with CQC leaders have strengthened my conviction that this collaborative approach will be supported as they implement their new operational methods and the updated single assessment framework.
Achieving best practice through collaboration
Best practice in home care is shared through a variety of channels, including guidance documents, case studies, training sessions, team meetings, leadership initiatives and digital tools. These practices yield numerous benefits such as, improved quality of care, more personalised services, increased efficiency, innovation and enhanced experiences for both staff and clients.
Strengthening relationships between regulators and care providers for better outcomes
Learning from the successes of their counterparts, English regulators have an opportunity to further strengthen relationships with providers, ultimately enhancing outcomes for those who depend on care services. The evidence suggests that when regulators and providers work together as partners the entire sector and most importantly, those receiving care stand to benefit.
Download our complimentary compliance eBook to discover how best practice can be shared among providers throughout the UK. This resource offers inspiring insights that will encourage providers to adopt more innovative approaches to compliance. You might even find that compliance information and data insights become your go-to tools for showcasing your services.
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