Evaluation of CQC's local authority pilot assessments

We used a range of largely qualitative data collection methods in the evaluation to determine whether the assessment approach is effective, considering the experiences of the assessment team and the local authorities, and to capture this learning throughout. These included:

• in-depth interviews with key local authority staff
• in-depth interviews with internal pilot leads (assessment managers)
• focus groups with inspectors
• surveys of local authority staff
• information return survey
• observations of fieldwork.