What’s Changed: The New Scoring Approach
- In 2024, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rolled out a revised Single Assessment Framework introducing a formal scoring system to replace the older KLOEs (Key Lines of Enquiry). This new method (CQC’s New Rating System: Digital Maturity and Your Care Service) assigns percentage scores to each service’s evidence across five key questions, directly impacting your rating (Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate).
- Ratings are now broken down as follows:
- Outstanding: 88–100%
- Good: 63–87%
- Requires Improvement: 39–62%
- Inadequate: 38% or lower.
CQC combines scores for individual quality statements and aggregates them into overall ratings with some evidence categories weighed more if issues are detected.
Why Digital Maturity Matters
- CQC’s focus on real-time record keeping, information sharing and efficiency means digitally mature care services are better equipped to meet key regulatory expectations.
- Care management software enables:
- Immediate access and updating of care plans and records.
- Improved staff collaboration and responsiveness to care needs.
- Demonstrable compliance with safety and transparency requirements.
- Faster, more accurate preparation for inspections and evidence gathering.
Care homes, domiciliary care services, supported living services and providers using advanced digital platforms are consistently seen as more compliant, efficient and capable of achieving higher ratings.
Risks of Falling Behind
- With new CQC ratings, services lacking digital capability risk below average scores, especially if:
- Records are incomplete, paper based or slow to update. Communication is fragmented or relies heavily on manual processes.
- Evidence for CQC inspections cannot be easily collated or accessed.
- The sector is moving fast: those not upgrading systems may see ratings drop, affecting reputation, funding, and opportunities for growth.
What Should Providers Do?
- Audit your digital workflows—are you able to access, update, and share care information instantly?
- Upgrade or invest in a comprehensive care management platform that supports CQC’s evidence requirements and allows easy preparation for inspections.
- Train staff to use digital tools effectively, ensuring everyone can demonstrate compliance and quality at inspection time.
In summary: CQC’s New Rating System: Digital Maturity and Your Care Service
The CQC’s new rating system makes digital maturity essential to achieving and retaining top ratings. Providers who embrace care management technology not only improve compliance, safety, and quality but are best positioned for success under the updated framework. Upgrading is now a strategic necessity, not a luxury.
By: Godfrey Mushandu /LinkedIn
