Enforcement policy

Updates to this policy in 2023

Since we published this policy in 2015, we have:

• Improved the language to be more accessible, using clear, plain English.
• Used dual terminology where required, to ensure this policy works alongside both assessments using key lines of enquiry (KLOEs) and the new single assessment framework. We will remove any references to KLOEs once we are using our new regulatory approach and single assessment framework in all regions.
• Removed the diagram ‘CQC’s Operating Model’ as it is now out of date.
• Removed the table ‘Relationship between the ratings and regulations’ as it is out of date.
• Removed the principle ‘integrating enforcement into our regulatory model’, as it will soon be out of date. We have published information about our new approach to assessments on our website.
• Removed the summary of the decision tree as we will provide a link to our decision tree.
• Replaced the reference to ‘sector’ enforcement priorities with ‘enforcement priorities’ more generally.
• Updated the section on use of conditions to be more concise.
• Removed references to special measures where they concern NHS trusts as CQC and NHS England no longer use these.