Duty of candour is not a form you complete after something goes wrong. It is a fundamental standard, one of the areas CQC pays particular attention to, and it sits at the heart of how inspectors judge whether a service is genuinely open and safe. For registered managers, that means duty of candour has to work as a live operational process, not a policy document that only gets read after an incident. This guide sets out what the law requires, how to recognise when the duty app

By Manu Thomas, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, CQC Specialist Advisor, NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Fellow, NICE Associate

By Manu Thomas, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, CQC Specialist Advisor, NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Fellow, NICE Associate | Last updated: [Date]

PSIRF is the NHS framework for responding to patient safety incidents. It is mandatory under the NHS Standard Contract, not for adult social care providers directly. But its four principles, proportionate, learning-led and compassionate response, increasingly shape what CQC expects to see in how your service handles incidents. Why this matters CQC is back in the field. The regulator completed over 50% more inspections in November 2025 than the year before and is targeting 9,0

You’ve finished your shift. You’re in the car, on the bus, or walking through your front door — but part of you is still on the ward. You’re replaying a conversation with a distressed family member. Thinking about the resident who had a bad night. Running ove r whether you handled that incident the right way. Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone — and you’re not doing anything wrong. Care work involves a level of emotional investment that doesn’t switch off cleanly when yo

If you've been following the news, you'll have seen the headlines: NHS England is being abolished. It's the kind of announcement that can send a wave of anxiety through anyone working in health or social care — especially when the language used is dramatic and the details are thin. So let's cut through the noise. This blog explains what has actually happened, what it means in practice, and — most importantly — what it means for you as a care professional. The short answer: fo

If you work in health or social care, chances are you've been taught — explicitly or not — that putting others first is the job. That going the extra mile, staying a little longer, and saying yes when you really mean no is just what good carers do. But here's what nobody tells you early enough: boundaries aren't barriers to good care. They're what make good care sustainable. And the guilt you feel when you enforce them? That's worth examining — because it's often the very th

What Does DoLS Stand For? DoLS stands for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards . It is the procedure prescribed in law when it is necessary to deprive a person of their liberty, a resident or patient who lacks the mental capacity to consent to their care and treatment, in order to keep them safe from harm. The legal foundation sits within the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and is underpinned by Article 5 of the Human Rights Act, which establishes that everyone has the right to libert

What Good Dementia Care Actually Looks Like (And Why It Matters in 2026)

If you work with lifting equipment in any capacity, understanding the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) is not optional. It is a legal requirement. Whether you are an employer, manager, or operative working in construction, care, logistics, or manufacturing, LOLER compliance directly affects workplace safety and your organisation's legal standing. Our online LOLER course at CareLearner is designed to give you a thorough, accessible, and CPD-ac

We have some exciting news to share. Pentafold, the company behind CareLearner, has been officially welcomed into the NVIDIA Inception Programme , a global initiative that supports startups pushing the boundaries of AI, data science, and cutting-edge technology. For our team, this is more than a badge. It is recognition that the problem we are solving matters, and that the approach we are taking to solve it is the right one. What Is the NVIDIA Inception Programme? NVIDIA Ince

Hundreds of thousands of patients are receiving faster NHS care through new partnerships with independent healthcare providers. This approach aims to tackle waiting lists, increase treatment capacity, and uphold the NHS principle of care that remains free at the point of use. Overview of the Partnership The Department of Health and Social Care announced in October 2025 that 6.15 million NHS appointments, tests and operations were delivered by independent providers over the p

For decades, Huntington’s disease (HD) has been considered one of the cruellest inherited neurological disorders. Passed down through families, it gradually robs individuals of their ability to move, think, and control their emotions. Until now, there has been no way to slow—let alone stop—its relentless progression. This week, that narrative changed. A Landmark Gene Therapy Researchers in the UK have announced the first successful treatment of Huntington’s disease using a ge

Every year on 17 September , World Patient Safety Day reminds us that safety is the foundation of high-quality care. The World Health Organization highlights that up to 1 in 10 patients are harmed while receiving health or social care and most of these incidents are preventable. For care homes, domiciliary providers, and primary care teams, patient safety isn’t just about compliance. It’s about creating a culture where risks are managed, staff are trained, and people receivi

In an era where social media dominates teenage life, concerns about its impact on mental health and well-being have intensified. Recognising these challenges, Labour MP Josh MacAlister has introduced a bill aimed at protecting teenagers from social media addiction and harmful online exposure. The proposed measures include raising the "internet adulthood" age from 13 to 16, banning smartphones in schools, strengthening the powers of Ofcom (the UK's communications regulator), a

Every year, on the third Wednesday of November, we come together to observe World COPD Day , a global initiative to raise awareness about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This day serves as a vital reminder of the importance of lung health and the need to address the challenges posed by this progressive condition. Understanding COPD COPD is a chronic respiratory disease that obstructs airflow in the lungs, making breathing increasingly difficult. It encompasses t

As healthcare and social care continue to evolve, one approach is gaining significant traction: person-centered care. This model prioritizes the individual’s needs, preferences, and values, fundamentally transforming how care is provided. For healthcare providers and caregivers alike, person-centered care isn’t just a trend; it’s a crucial shift that has the potential to improve patient outcomes, enhance communication, and create a more fulfilling experience for healthcare pr

So, let’s talk about something that doesn’t get much airtime in the care world: spirituality. No, I’m not talking about dimming the lights and breaking out the incense during your next care shift (though, I mean, why not?). Spirituality is about connecting on a deeper level – finding purpose, meaning, and a bit of peace in the chaos. And let’s face it, care can be chaos sometimes, right? What Even Is Spirituality in Care? Spirituality in care isn’t about preaching or turning

As our population ages, the need for specialized and holistic healthcare solutions becomes increasingly critical. Older adults often experience complex health challenges that go beyond physical ailments, encompassing mental, emotional, and social issues. This is where a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) comes in—a multidimensional tool used by healthcare professionals to evaluate and manage the needs of elderly individuals, promoting better health outcomes and qualit

The Single Assessment Framework (SAF) is a crucial tool used by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to assess and monitor the quality of care provided by health and social care services in the UK. It aims to ensure that services meet the required standards of safety, effectiveness, and responsiveness, ultimately promoting the well-being of those who use these services. What is the Single Assessment Framework (SAF)? The SAF is a structured approach that guides the CQC's inspecti