Trauma-Informed Care | Workforce Development | Social Enterprise
📰 November 2025 NewsletterFrom the Editor
Sophie Chester, Founder of Coproduce Care
Hello and welcome to our November newsletter!
What a month it's been for the social care sector. As I write this, we're processing some significant shifts – from CQC leadership changes and a landmark consultation on how we're assessed, to the Government's £500 million commitment to the first ever Fair Pay Agreement. Whether these changes feel like cause for celebration or concern probably depends on where you're sitting, but one thing's certain: staying informed has never been more important.
This edition is packed with updates you need to know about. I've tried to cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters for those of us running services day-to-day.
🔥 This Month's Must-Knows:
- CQC consultation closes 11 December – Have your say on how you'll be assessed
- £500m Fair Pay Agreement – Consultation open until January, but funding won't arrive until 2028
- International recruitment effectively ended – Time to double down on domestic retention strategies
- Provider portal changes – Registration now by email, not the portal
- Several tender opportunities – Deadlines coming up fast in December
I know many of you are juggling winter pressures, staffing challenges, and the ever-present demands of delivering quality care. Please know that Coproduce Care is here to support you – whether that's through our free resources, our conferences, or simply connecting you with others facing the same challenges.
Speaking of which... We've got some exciting things coming up that I'd love you to be part of:
🎙️ Our podcasts are back! We're releasing new episodes throughout 2025/26 featuring honest conversations with people across the sector. Make sure you're subscribed to our YouTube channel so you don't miss them.
🎤 Save the date – 3 February 2026 – Our 'Prepared, Not Scared: The Essential Conversation About Death and Dying' conference is shaping up brilliantly. It's a topic many of us shy away from, but as care professionals, we know how important these conversations are. It's free, it's online, and it's CPD-accredited. I really hope you'll join us.
🧠 Coming soon – We're also planning a conference on Neurodiversity in Care, exploring both how we support neurodivergent people who use our services AND how we can better support neurodivergent colleagues in our workforce. Watch this space!
Stay well, stay informed, and keep doing the incredible work you do.
Sophie
Founder, Coproduce Care CIC
Director, Manor Community
CQC Regulatory Updates
📊 State of Care 2024/25 Report Published
The CQC's annual State of Care report finds the health and social care system remains fragmented and under severe strain. Lack of investment in community services threatens the shift towards care outside hospital and risks an erosion of care quality.
Dr Arun Chopra, Interim Chief Executive, warns that vulnerable groups – including older people, those with dementia, learning disabilities, and complex mental health needs – are likely to be hit hardest through longer waits, reduced access and poorer outcomes.
👔 Sir Julian Hartley Steps Down as CQC Chief Executive
Sir Julian Hartley has resigned, citing concerns that his previous role at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust may undermine confidence in the regulator. Dr Arun Chopra, Chief Inspector of Mental Health, has taken on the role of Interim Chief Executive. Recruitment for a permanent successor begins shortly.
📄 Read CQC's announcement →📝 CQC Consultation on Assessment Framework
The consultation on proposals to improve how CQC assesses services, makes judgements, and awards ratings is now open. Changes aim to address concerns from Dr Penny Dash, Professor Sir Mike Richards, and the Care Provider Alliance, creating a clearer, simpler, and more trusted framework.
💻 CQC Provider Portal Changes
Following ongoing issues, CQC is no longer accepting registration applications through the portal. Applications must now be made using forms on the CQC website and submitted by email. The portal can still be used for statutory notifications and registration cancellations.
→ Registration changes guidance
→ Provider portal information
🗺️ New Local Authority Assessments
CQC is assessing all 153 local authorities on their adult social care duties. Recent reports published for: Stockton-on-Tees, Hull, Bradford, East Riding of Yorkshire, Calderdale, Leeds, Swindon, Reading, East Sussex, Croydon, and Doncaster.
Each report examines 9 areas across 4 themes, scoring 1 (significant shortfalls) to 4 (exceptional standard).
📄 View all LA assessment reports →Workforce & Employment Rights
💷 £500 Million Fair Pay Agreement Announced
The Government has announced £500 million to support the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care workers, part of over £4 billion additional funding for adult social care in 2028-29.
Consultation open until 16 January 2026 – views sought on design of the Fair Pay Agreement process.
⚠️ Sector reaction: While welcomed, the Nuffield Trust described the funding as a 'bear trap' that won't arrive until 2028 and may not address immediate pressures.
→ Government announcement
→ Consultation document
→ Care England FPA resources
📜 Employment Rights Bill Progress
The Bill continues through Parliament with House of Lords debate in late October. Expected to receive Royal Assent in November 2025. The Bill establishes the Adult Social Care Negotiating Body and introduces reforms to zero-hours contracts, sick pay, and unfair dismissal protections.
📄 Track the Bill's progress →✈️ International Recruitment Changes
International recruitment has halved – from 105,000 recruits in 2023/24 to around 50,000 in 2024/25. With 70,000 domestic workers lost over two years, providers must focus heavily on domestic recruitment and retention.
Care England described this as "a crushing blow to an already fragile sector."
📊 Skills for Care workforce data →📈 Workforce Strategy Update
Skills for Care's refreshed Workforce Strategy (July 2025) emphasises linking pay with career progression through the Care Workforce Pathway.
Tender Opportunities
Current opportunities that may be of interest. Click the tender name to view full details on the procurement portal:
- Direct Payment Workforce Recruitment & Development Wigan Council 16 Dec 2025
- Vision Impairment Rehabilitation & Habilitation LB Merton 19 Jan 2026
- Carer Service LB Southwark 5 Jan 2026
- Adults Substance Misuse Treatment & Recovery RB Kingston 16 Dec 2025
- Community Health Improvement Services Dorset Council Mar 2029
- Children's Placement Framework (Soft Market Testing) Nottinghamshire CC 12 Dec 2025
- St Thomas' Centre for Living Well - Market Engagement Stockport MBC 9 Dec 2025
💡 Tip: Register on ProContract to receive automatic alerts for tenders matching your services. You can also search Contracts Finder for additional opportunities.
Safeguarding & Legal Updates
⚖️ CQC Equality Objectives 2025-2029
CQC's new equality objectives commit to improving regulatory impact in workforce equality, equity in access, and Mental Health Act monitoring. The regulator will increase assessment of workforce EDI when examining the well-led key question.
📄 Read the equality objectives →👶 Children in Care: Deprivation of Liberty Research
DfE research shows escalating use of Deprivation of Liberty orders, with over 2,500 children affected in 2023-24. Key finding: lack of appropriate placement options and specialist provision across residential children's homes.
📄 Read the DfE research →⚡ Electrical Safety Standards Extended
From 1 November 2025, minimum electrical safety standards extend to the social housing sector. Social landlords must carry out regular safety checks meeting private rented sector standards. Care providers in social housing settings should ensure compliance.
📄 View the regulations →📚 Safeguarding Resources
Key resources for maintaining safeguarding best practice:
→ Care Act 2014 Statutory Guidance (Chapter 14: Safeguarding)
→ LGA Safeguarding Adults resources
→ Skills for Care Safeguarding guidance
Sector News & Policy
❄️ Winter Pressures Preparation
Delayed discharges remain significant – lack of social care capacity accounts for 23% of delayed discharges. CQC will prioritise inspecting providers with RI/Inadequate ratings where improvement is shown, to create more discharge capacity.
→ CQC's winter pressures response
→ Health Foundation winter analysis
🕊️ Palliative and End of Life Care Framework
Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock announced a new modern service framework for England, due spring 2026. This aligns with our upcoming 'Prepared, Not Scared' conference!
📄 Read more on sector developments →💰 Care Charging Reforms
From October 2025: £86,000 lifetime care fee cap, upper capital limit rising to £100,000, lower limit to £20,000. Prepare to advise clients on these changes.
📖 Further Reading
Stay informed with these sector resources:
→ Care Management Matters
→ Care England
→ Homecare Association
→ National Care Forum
→ Skills for Care
📅 Key Dates & Deadlines
About Coproduce Care
Coproduce Care CIC is a social enterprise focused on trauma-informed care and workforce development in the social care sector. We provide training, consultancy, and educational events to support care providers in delivering outstanding care.
We bring together people involved in care to share information, improve practice and policy, and influence social care from the bottom up.
🎤 Upcoming Events & Content
'Prepared, Not Scared' – End of life planning conference | 3 February 2026
Neurodiversity in Care – Conference coming soon
🎙️ Podcasts – New episodes releasing throughout 2025/26
Coproduce Care CIC
📧 hi@coproducecare.com | 📞 0117 360 0510
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