State of Care: Risk of “failing the future” if children and young people don’t get the care they need

State of Care is our annual assessment of health care and social care in England. It looks at trends, shares examples of good and outstanding care, and highlights where care needs to improve.

This year's report finds that many children and young people are not getting the support they need. Children who do not receive the care they need today are at increased risk of becoming adults with long-term mental or physical illnesses, which could affect their quality of life and their ability to contribute to society tomorrow.

Commenting on the report's findings, Ian Dilks, our Chair, said:

“While some children are receiving timely, appropriate care, we know that there are more who don’t, with potential long-term repercussions for their mental and physical health.

“The health and wellbeing of a nation’s children has been described as the best predictor of its future prosperity; failing to ensure good, safe care for our children today also risks failing their future.”

State of Care recommends that a greater focus on children and young people’s services at both a national and local level is needed. This should include early intervention, better understanding by systems of the gaps in provision of care, and improved management of demand and communication with children and their families.

Our response to reviews by Dr Penny Dash and Professor Sir Mike Richards

Earlier this month we welcomed the publication of 2 important reviews that will help to set the future direction for CQC: the final report of Dr Penny Dash’s review and the first report of the independent review by Professor Sir Mike Richards.

We have accepted the high-level recommendations of both reports, which identify serious organisational failings, and we are taking rapid action in response.

We have committed to:

Ian Dilks, Chair of CQC, said:

“Both reviews have reaffirmed the support for a robust health and care regulator and recognised the dedication and experience of CQC staff. We are committed to rebuilding trust in CQC’s regulation and are taking action to make sure we have the right structure, processes, and technology in place to help us fulfil our vital role of helping people get good care and supporting providers to improve.”

Join us! Work for CQC

CQC staff have a wide range of skills and work across many disciplines.

Find out about roles within CQC, Healthwatch England and the Office of the National Guardian.

Current vacancies include:

Benefits include generous leave entitlement, NHS or Nest pension schemes and a wide range of employee discounts.

Most roles offer flexible locations with the choice to be home-based. See the individual job listings for more information.

Your voice matters: Join our Share for Better Care webinar

Hearing about the experiences of the public helps health and social care services learn from what is working and identify what needs improvement.

But only some people know how to speak up about their care. Health and care services could also be better at telling people how they can give feedback, and explaining why this matters.

The Patients Association are hosting a webinar on Wednesday, 6 November, from 10 am – 11 am, to discuss these issues.

Join us, Healthwatch England, and the Patients Association to:

The webinar is free, and will be hosted on Zoom.

Sir Julian Hartley announced as our new Chief Executive

Sir Julian Hartley, currently Chief Executive of NHS Providers, will be appointed as CQC's new Chief Executive.

Ian Dilks, Chair of CQC, said: "I am very happy that CQC will make such a strong appointment to the role of Chief Executive. Sir Julian was chosen from an outstanding field for his significant leadership experience and his experience of contributing to developments in the wider health and social care landscapes.

Sir Julian said:

"I am delighted to be joining CQC at a time when effective regulation which supports improvement across the health and care sector and good, safe care for people who use services has never been more important.

"I have spent my career in the NHS and I will do my utmost to bring all I have learned to serve people who use services and to work with CQC staff and with providers to deliver high quality regulation which drives improvement across the health and care system."

Sir Julian's start date is yet to be confirmed. The selection process for Sir Julian's recruitment was led by CQC's Chair with the involvement of the non-executive members of CQC's Board, following open competition.

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