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Care consultancy

Care consultancy and compliance support for care providers

From your first business plan to your next CQC assessment, one team that knows the regulations. Led by a former CQC Senior Inspector Manager with more than 20 years in regulation, for home care, supported living and care homes.

Where is your service right now?

Registered, not yet inspected

Be ready before CQC calls

  • A mock inspection with written findings and a prioritised action plan
  • Audits and governance records that show you know your service
  • Safeguarding, medicines and staff files checked against the regulations
Start withMock inspectionsFrom £1,000 + VAT
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Definition

care consultantnoun

Someone who helps registered care providers meet the law and run a better service: registering with the regulator, preparing for inspection, fixing what an inspection finds and growing safely.

Care consultancy is not regulated in the UK, so experience you can check matters more than any title.

What we cover

Everything a care provider needs help with, in one team

Many consultancies specialise in one or two of these. We cover them all, so the advice on your policies, your inspection and your growth plans comes from people who see the whole service.

Care in England, October 2026

Why care providers are asking for help now

Most services have not been rated recently, the rating framework is changing, and staffing is still the hardest part of the job.

CQC rating coverage

83.5%

of community social care services in England have no current CQC rating.

  • Never assessed36.9%
  • Rating 4 to 10 years old46.6%
  • Current rating16.5%
Each square is 1% of services. No current rating means none published in the last 3 years.Homecare Association, June 2026

Recent CQC ratings

30.5%

of adult social care services rated under CQC's current framework were rated requires improvement or inadequate.

  • Outstanding2.1%
  • Good67.4%
  • Requires improvement26.4%
  • Inadequate4.1%
CQC says these ratings lean towards services it judged higher risk, so they are not representative.CQC, State of Care 2024/25

Vacancies

8.7%

of posts in domiciliary care are vacant, the highest of any setting.

  • Domiciliary care8.7%
  • All adult social care6.2%
  • Residential care3.8%
Skills for Care, 2026

Turnover

22.1%

of adult social care staff left their jobs in the year.

26.9%for care and support workers

Skills for Care, 2026

What is changing at CQC

A new assessment framework is on its way

Until the new approach starts, the current framework still applies. CQC's adult social care priorities include services registered for over a year that have never been assessed, and ratings more than six years old.

Read CQC's consultation response
  • Now: 34 quality statementsComing: Key lines of enquiry
  • Now: A score for each quality statementComing: Rating characteristics and professional judgement
  • Now: Ratings built up from scoresComing: A rating for each key question as a whole
  • Now: The fundamental standardsComing: No change
  1. March 2026

    CQC confirms the changes

  2. June to October 2026

    Pilots with providers, under way now

  3. November 2026

    Pilots evaluated

  4. To be confirmed

    New approach starts

After an inspection

The CQC deadlines you cannot miss

Once CQC writes to you, the clock starts. Missing one of these dates can close off your options, so call us the day the letter arrives.

Your inspection report

What you can do between the draft and the final rating.

  1. Draft report emailed to you
  2. 10working daysFactual accuracy checkCorrect errors in the draft. Not for disagreeing with the rating.
  3. Report and rating published
  4. 15working daysRating process reviewIf CQC did not follow its process. Up to 500 words.
  5. CQC decides, aiming for 50 working days

CQC: Factual accuracy check CQC: Rating process review

Enforcement

When CQC proposes conditions, suspension or cancellation.

  1. Notice of proposal
  2. 28daysWritten representationsYour chance to show CQC why it should not go ahead.
  3. Notice of decision
  4. 28daysAppealTo the First-tier Tribunal, if you believe the decision is wrong.
  5. First-tier Tribunal

CQC: Representations and appeals

Setin the notice

Warning notice

Put the breach right within the timescale CQC sets, which depends on the risk to people.

CQC guidance
28days

Rated requires improvement again

CQC may ask for an improvement action plan showing how you will get to good.

CQC guidance

You cannot book a re-inspection. CQC decides when it assesses a service, so every improvement has to show in your evidence by the time it does.

Enforcement support

Choosing a consultant

How to choose a care consultant

Anyone can call themselves a care consultant, because care consultancy is not regulated. Ask these six questions of anyone you are thinking of hiring, including us.

  1. 01

    Regulator experience you can check

    Ask who will do the work, what roles they held and when. Our team is led by a former CQC Senior Inspector Manager with more than 20 years in regulation.

  2. 02

    Results, not adjectives

    Ask for numbers. 98% of the registration applications we support are approved first time, across more than 1,200 providers.

  3. 03

    Scope and price in writing

    You should know what you are buying, what you will receive and what it costs before any work starts.

  4. 04

    Insurance and checks

    Ask for professional indemnity insurance and, for anyone visiting your service, a recent enhanced DBS check.

  5. 05

    Independent accreditation

    The Care Consultant Accreditation Framework, run with Care England, lists consultants who have passed its checks.

    Find an accredited consultant
  6. 06

    Honesty about limits

    No consultant can guarantee a rating. CQC makes that judgement, and a consultant who promises one is selling you something else.

Consultant, software or doing it yourself?

Most providers use a mix. This is where each one earns its place.

Templates and tools

Compliance software

Knows your service
No, the same content for every provider
Sees gaps you cannot
Only what its checklists ask
Keeps up with CQC changes
Usually, through content updates
Typical cost
Monthly subscription
Best for
Policies and day to day templates

An outside expert

Care consultant

Knows your service
Yes, from visits, records and talking to staff
Sees gaps you cannot
Yes, an outside view against the regulations
Keeps up with CQC changes
Yes, it is the job
Typical cost
Fixed fee or monthly
Best for
Registration, inspections, poor ratings, enforcement

Your own team

In house only

Knows your service
Yes
Sees gaps you cannot
Rarely, it is hard to inspect yourself
Keeps up with CQC changes
Depends on time and training
Typical cost
Staff time
Best for
Running the service day to day

From our YouTube channel

Advice you can use before you call us

Short, practical videos from our consultants on the questions inspectors ask most.

Is your governance real? How to prove it to the CQC

How to turn routine audits into governance evidence, with a six step improvement loop and one service improvement plan reviewed every month.

In this video

  • Audit, theme, action, owner, impact, re-audit
  • One service improvement plan for every finding
  • Five mistakes that make audits worthless
  • CQC is calling your clients right now: what they're asking

    The evidence CQC gathers about a home care service, why feedback from clients, staff and partners matters, and how to organise yours.

  • The secret to a well-led CQC rating: are you answering this question?

    How a registered manager proves a well-led service by answering one question with current evidence: how do you know your service is safe right now?

  • The 10 types of abuse: is your care agency ready for 2026?

    Why an empty safeguarding log worries inspectors, the ten types of abuse in the Care Act 2014 with home care examples, and how to evidence safeguarding.

Client reviews

What care providers say about working with us

Care providers describe working with us, in their own words, on Trustpilot and Google.

Moving slowly. Hover, tap or press Pause to read.

  • First of all i want to give Millicent…

    First of all i want to give Millicent her flowers. I recently became a registered manager ( OLIVE BRANCH CARE & SUPPORT LTD) because of her. She knows her stuff, she takes you through the whole process, the Q&A with encouragement and guidance. I am usually a nerve wreck, but I made it. I couldn't not have wished for a better person than her. THANK YOU MILLICENT. YOU ARE THE BEST.
  • Excellent Support Throughout Our CQC Registration Journey

    Care Sync Experts provided excellent support throughout our CQC registration journey for Tailored Healthcare 4 You Limited. The team was professional, knowledgeable and very supportive throughout the process. They provided valuable guidance with our application, policies, supporting documents and preparation for the CQC registration process. What I particularly appreciated was their willingness to answer questions, explain requirements clearly and provide support whenever we needed clarification. Their guidance helped us navigate what can be a detailed and demanding registration process with greater confidence. We are very grateful for their contribution towards the successful CQC registration of our company and would happily recommend Care Sync Experts to other care providers looking for professional CQC registration support. Thank you to the entire team for your continued support.
  • Thanks to Care Sync Experts

    Care Sync Experts supported with well tailored documentations for the CQC application, good prep/training for the CQC interview and prompt communication throughout the CQC registration stages which led to the success of Novaedge application I had an excellent experience working with Care Sync Experts on my CQC registration application. From the very beginning, their team demonstrated exceptional professionalism, knowledge, and commitment to ensuring my application met the required CQC standards. They provided clear guidance throughout the entire process, helped me prepare all the necessary documentation, and ensured I was fully ready for every stage of the application. Their attention to detail, prompt communication, and willingness to answer every question gave me confidence and made what could have been a stressful process much smoother. I truly appreciated their personalised support and expertise. Thanks to their dedication, I felt well-prepared throughout my CQC registration journey. I would confidently recommend Care Sync Experts to anyone seeking reliable and professional support with CQC registration and healthcare compliance.
  • The Experience that I have had with…care sync was a 5 star experience

    The Experience that I have had with Care Sync experts is so excellent and effortless. Care sync experts assisted me with the CQC registration of my company. It was a 5 star experience. Coming from a healthcare background myself, I worked with a group of dedicated experts who knows what there are doing. I will like to thank Colin who handled my registration process with the Care sync expert team in such a way that the process looked so simple.
  • Care Sync Experts are reliable

    Care Sync Experts are reliable, honest and operate with integrity. All the staff are knowledgeable and supportive whenever you need guidance. I recommend them for all those loking for CQC support services.
  • I am genuinely grateful that I chose Care Sync

    I am genuinely grateful that I chose Care Sync Experts to support me in establishing my domiciliary care company, Precious Care. From my very first conversation with them, it was clear that they truly understood my needs. Their knowledge, expertise, and professionalism were evident from the start—they really do live up to their name. The support provided to me and my wider team was exceptional and truly limitless. No matter how small the question, they were always available, approachable, and ready to help. From day one, Millicent and Collins made us feel valued and important. Speaking with them felt like talking to people I had known for years—warm, reassuring, and always willing to go the extra mile. Every phone call ended with clarity and confidence. Millicent’s guidance, training, and ongoing support were outstanding and made the entire process smooth and stress‑free. Without hesitation, I would recommend Care Sync Experts as the go‑to professionals for anyone seeking EXPERT support in this field.
  • CQC interview confidence building

    I found the material I was given very informative. This helped build my confidence during my CQC interview preparation. The staff responded to my inquiries timeously
  • 100% Support: How Care Sync Experts Made Our CQC Certification A Reality

    I couldn’t be more grateful for Care Sync experts exceptional support during our CQC interview presentations. From the very beginning, Millicent and Collins were not only professional but also incredibly approachable and dedicated. Every time we needed assistance, they were right there ready to help with guidance, expert advice, and all the information required to ensure our success. When our interview dates kept changing, Care Sync flexibility truly set them apart. They rescheduled sessions without hesitation and even provided extra sessions, going far beyond what we had paid for. Their unwavering commitment was a crucial factor in us achieving our CQC certification. Thanks to their 100% support, Victory Growth Care Services is now proudly registered with CQC. I wholeheartedly recommend Care Sync expats for anyone looking for top-notch, dependable support in navigating the complexities of CQC interviews. Their team truly makes a difference!
  • Outstanding Tender Writing Services

    I recently used Care Sync Experts for the first time to complete a tender, and I am thrilled to say that they won it for me! Their team is absolutely brilliant. They took care of everything with professionalism and expertise, making the whole process smooth and successful. I would 100% recommend Care Sync Experts to any provider looking for someone to write their tender. Their work is of a high standard, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.
  • Outstanding Service and Exceptional Results!

    I had the pleasure of working with Care Sync Experts for various projects, including website development, tender submissions, and branding materials such as brochures and leaflets. From start to finish, their professionalism and attention to detail have been nothing short of remarkable. They designed and developed my website with a keen understanding of my needs, creating a sleek, user-friendly platform that perfectly represents my brand. But they didn't stop there, their expertise in handling tenders is unparalleled. Of the six tenders they managed for me, they won five. This impressive success rate speaks volumes about their strategic approach and deep industry knowledge. I highly recommend Care Sync Experts to anyone looking for top notch services in web development, tender management, and branding. They have truly elevated my business, and I look forward to continuing our partnership!

Care consultancy FAQs

Last reviewed

A care consultant helps registered care providers meet the law and run a better service. That includes registering with the regulator, writing policies, running mock inspections, auditing governance, responding to a poor rating or enforcement, and supporting growth through tenders and recruitment. Some people use the term for advisers who help families find care; this page is about consultancy for care providers.
Care compliance support is ongoing help for a registered provider to keep meeting the regulations between inspections. It usually covers audits, policy updates, governance records, statutory notifications, mock inspections and action plans, so the evidence is ready whenever CQC assesses the service.
Published day rates for independent care consultants in the UK run from about £500 to £1,000. Our prices are fixed for defined work: mock inspections from £1,000 + VAT, compliance management from £1,500 + VAT, CQC registration from £4,000 + VAT and ongoing CQC consultancy from £1,000 + VAT a month.
No. You can apply to CQC yourself. Many providers use a consultant because the application, statement of purpose, policies and registration interview all have to be right, and an incomplete application can delay registration. 98% of the applications we support are approved first time.
No. Care consultancy has no formal regulation, so anyone can use the title. Check who will do the work and their regulatory experience, ask for results and references, get the scope and price in writing, and ask about professional indemnity insurance and DBS checks. The Care Consultant Accreditation Framework, run with Care England, lists consultants who have passed its checks.
No. Only CQC can decide a rating. A good consultant can show you what inspectors will look for, find the gaps before they do and help you build the evidence that the service is safe and well led. Be wary of anyone who promises a rating.
A mock inspection is a practice inspection carried out the way CQC would carry one out. A consultant reviews your records, talks to staff and the people you support, and gives you written findings and a prioritised action plan. Ours start from £1,000 + VAT.
Read the report carefully and turn every finding into an action with an owner and a date. Check the draft report for factual errors within 10 working days, and consider a rating process review within 15 working days of publication if CQC did not follow its process. If you are rated requires improvement again, CQC may ask for an improvement action plan.
You have 28 days to make written representations to a notice of proposal, and 28 days to appeal a notice of decision to the First-tier Tribunal. A warning notice sets its own timescale based on the risk to people. Get advice as soon as the letter arrives.
Registered providers must notify CQC without delay about certain events, including the death of a person using the service, serious injuries, abuse or allegations of abuse, and incidents reported to or investigated by the police. The duties are set out in Regulations 16 and 18 of the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009.
There is no way to book a re-inspection. CQC decides when it assesses a service and says it cannot tell providers when that will be. That is why improvements need to show in your records, audits and feedback from the day you make them.
Yes. In March 2026 CQC said it will remove the 34 quality statements and their scores, bring back key lines of enquiry and rating characteristics, and give ratings for each key question as a whole. Pilots run from June to October 2026. CQC has not yet set a start date, so the current framework still applies.
Yes. Most of our work is with home care agencies and supported living services, and we also support care homes. We work across England, and with providers registering with Care Inspectorate Wales and RQIA in Northern Ireland.
Both. Mock inspections can include time at your office, and most ongoing support, document reviews and interview preparation happen online, so we work with providers across the UK.
Our team is led by a former CQC Senior Inspector Manager with more than 20 years in regulation. We have supported more than 1,200 care providers over 10 years.
Book a consultation or call 0333 577 0877. We will ask where your service is now and what you need, then confirm the scope and price in writing before any work starts.

Tell us where your service is, and we will tell you what it needs

More than 1,200 care providers have worked with us over 10 years. We confirm the scope and price in writing before any work starts.