Guidance and regulation

Information for health and social care providers, local authorities and integrated care systems.

Information for all providers

You must register with us to carry on any of the activities we regulate. You also need to let us know if your registration details change.

How we assess quality of care using our assessment framework, including our inspections and continuous monitoring.

Guidance about government regulations for health and social care providers. Includes the fundamental standards.

What action we take when we find a breach of the regulations or a registered person's conditions of registration, or where there is a risk to people using services.

You must notify us about certain changes, events and incidents that affect your service or the people who use it.

Registered providers must pay fees each year. They cover the cost of registration, making changes to your registration, and monitoring, inspection and rating.

Information for your sector

Care homes, home care, specialist colleges, extra care, supported living and Shared Lives schemes.

NHS acute, ambulance, community health, mental health and substance misuse services.

Independent hospitals, ambulances, community health, hospices, mental health and substance misuse services.

Includes dental surgeries, services visiting people's homes and out-of-hours emergency services.

Includes NHS 111 and GP out-of-hours services.

NHS GP practices and online-only services offering consultation diagnosis and treatment.

Includes private GP services and clinics providing primary care.

Local systems

We assess whether ICSs are meeting the needs of the local population.

We assess how local authorities meet their duties under Part 1 of the Care Act (2014).