Shaping CQC

We work with mixed and specialist groups of people who help shape our work by giving us their views and feedback. We have set up panels to include a wide range of people from across the services we regulate. Some of these groups will work online, others will work face to face. Some examples of these include:


Mental Health Improvement Board

The Mental Health Improvement Board has been set up to advise us on:

  • the priority areas for mental health;
  • how we can best make a difference to improve outcomes for people who use mental health services and their carers;
  • the responsibilities we have to monitor the use of the Mental Health Act.

Members include:

  • carers and users of mental health services;
  • representatives of mental health organisations, charities and other relevant bodies.

The mental health improvement board meets quarterly. Membership for this group is reviewed annually. Vacancies for users of services and carers will be advertised on our website and to user and carer organisations.

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People with Learning Disabilities Advisory Panel

This group which is made up of people with learning disabilities, family carers and organisations representing people with learning disabilities and autism. This group helps us to:

  • plan our learning disability strategy;
  • put it into practice.

We share views, experiences and ideas about services and support so that we hear what is important to people with learning disabilities and autism.

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Carers Advisory Panel

This group is made up of family carers and organisations who represent family carers. This group also helps us to plan our carers strategy and to put it into practice. We share views, experience and ideas about services and support so that we hear what is important to carers and their families.

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Service User Reference Panel (SURP)

The Care Quality Commission monitors the use of the Mental Health Act and protects the interests of people whose rights are restricted under that Act. We visit all wards where people are detained (sectioned), and talk to them about the care and treatment they are receiving.

The SURP is made up of people who are currently or have recently been detained and helps us with our work on the Mental Health Act.

The SURP has around 25 members, from a range of backgrounds, and who have a variety of experiences of mental health services including secure care and learning disability services.

SURP members:

  • provide a service user perspective on our activity around the Mental Health Act;
  • advise on priorities for visits and future plans;
  • contribute to our publications, and to particular projects through steering groups or in other ways;
  • advise how we should be involving service users who experience detention in what we do.

One example of this is that they advised that service users should have more direct involvement with visits. This developed into the Acting Together project of joint service user/ Mental Health Act Commissioner visits.

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SpeakOut network

SpeakOut is a network of community groups supported by CQC and the University of Central Lancashire. It enables groups who are often not heard to have a stronger voice about the health and social care matters which affect their communities. Groups are invited to tell us about their communities' experiences in a number of ways including:

  • involvement in a special study or review which could be holding individual interviews;
  • by facilitating a focus group in a community setting.

Previous involvement in special studies include Medicines Management, Disabling Factors in Health and End of Life Care. We also invite groups to comment on new policy and documents such as Registration and Compliance Guidance and the Single Equality Scheme.

The network has just expanded and we now have over 80 groups who want to get involved with the work of CQC and a smaller number who want to be kept informed of the work of the Network with an option to get more involved when they feel ready.

We offer a range of support through the University and community based, interactive training packages including Induction, Creative Engagement and facilitating groups - training can be adapted for the needs of a group.

Read the Ignite SpeakOut newsletter (PDF, 3.29MB, opens in new window)

Listen to the Ignite SpeakOut newsletter (WMA, 9.73MB, opens in new window)

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LINKs advisory group

We have set up a LINks advisory group. This is to help us build a special relationship with LINks (local involvement networks). We are required to work closely with LINks and to try and take account of their views in our work. The LINks advisory group can help us do this.

We have also set up a sounding board for other representative groups, including Overview and Scrutiny Committees and Foundation Trust Boards of Governors. The sounding board will give members of these groups a chance to shape what we do and how we work. They will also make sure we build a strong relationship with other groups like them across the country.

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Registration Involvement Group (RIG)

We have a group to help us to design and develop the new registration system. The RIG is made up of a cross section of people who use services, family carers, foundation trust governors, overview and scrutiny committee members and LINks members.

The RIG works by commenting on documents and information on a weekly basis by email. This enables a fast turn around of comments and views to be part of the new regulatory system of registration. Another RIG group meet face to face to look at other aspects of the registration process such as further advice and information to the public.

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