When CQC and Commissioners Want Different Things — How to Balance Both
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Social care providers are often stuck in the middle: CQC wants evidence of compliance, while commissioners want to see innovation and results. These aren’t always the same — and trying to meet both can feel like a juggling act.
🤹♀️ Recognise the Tension
CQC inspectors focus on:
- Whether you're meeting legal requirements
- Risk management and safe systems
- Staff training and documentation
Commissioners, on the other hand, want to know:
- Are outcomes improving?
- Are we getting value for money?
- Is the service responsive to local need?
⚙️ Build a Flexible Quality System
The key is to avoid creating two parallel systems. Instead, design one system that:
- Monitors both compliance and outcomes
- Captures data for CQC audits and commissioner reporting
- Uses shared dashboards or logs to track both
📢 Speak Both Languages in Reports
Whether it’s a governance report, an audit summary, or a tender response, make sure you:
- Use CQC language: “Safe, effective, responsive…”
- Reference commissioner priorities: “prevention, system capacity, partnership…”
One system. Two audiences. Tailored messaging.