Introduction
Most homelessness services do not need to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Registration is only required for services that also provide certain health or social care activities defined as "regulated activities" under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, for example, drug and alcohol treatment, personal care, or nursing care. If your service provides any of these activities, you must be registered with CQC and will be subject to its inspection and rating regime.
CQC's current approach
CQC assesses registered providers against five key questions: whether services are safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led. These five questions remain at the core of all CQC assessments.
In late 2023, CQC began rolling out a new Single Assessment Framework (SAF) to replace its previous inspection approach. However, independent reviews by Dr Penny Dash and Professor Sir Mike Richards identified significant problems with the SAF, including an overly complex scoring model, a lack of transparency, and outcomes that did not consistently reflect the quality of care being delivered. A government-commissioned review confirmed these failings and CQC has since been undertaking a major programme of reform.
What is changing
CQC is now moving away from the Single Assessment Framework towards sector-specific assessment frameworks. Four draft frameworks have been developed, covering adult social care, hospitals, primary medical services, and a fourth for other health and care services. Key changes include:
- Quality statements are being replaced by structured Key Lines of Enquiry, framed as questions describing what CQC will look for during assessments.
- The complex scoring system is being removed. Ratings will instead be based on professional judgement, supported by rating characteristics that describe what Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement and Inadequate care looks like in practice.
- CQC is increasing its assessment activity and is on track to deliver 9,000 assessments by September 2026.
The "Better regulation, better care" consultation closed in December 2025. CQC published its initial response in March 2026 and is now seeking feedback on the four draft sector-specific frameworks, with the feedback window closing on 12 June 2026. The final frameworks are expected to be published in summer 2026, with implementation beginning at the end of the year.
Further detail on CQC's plans can be found in its improvement plans for 2026–28.
Implications for providers
CQC-registered homelessness services should continue to work to the current framework and ensure they can demonstrate compliance with the five key questions at any point. Services should also be aware that:
- Assessment activity is increasing, so services that have not been inspected for some time should ensure they are inspection-ready.
- When the new sector-specific frameworks are published in summer 2026, providers should review them promptly and map their service against the new Key Lines of Enquiry and rating characteristics ahead of implementation later in the year.
- CQC's existing regulations and fundamental standards remain fully in force. There is no change to core legal duties, including requirements around safeguarding, staffing, governance, and duty of candour.
- Services that are not sure whether they need to be registered with CQC should check the list of regulated activities or contact CQC directly.
Useful links
CQC: Improving how we work — CQC's main page for updates on its reform programme.
CQC Regulations — full list of the regulations providers must meet.
Government acts after report highlights failings at regulator — the government's response to the independent review of CQC.
CQC March 2026 update — CQC's update on the move to sector-specific frameworks and how to give feedback on the drafts.
Examples of specialist care services delivered by Homeless Link members were discussed on our Going Beyond podcast (17th February 2025).
