CQC's well-led assessment framework has evolved in 2026 with tougher expectations. It covers six domains and 24 key lines of enquiry (KLOEs). Inspectors are no longer looking for perfect systems or committees. They're looking for evidence that leaders understand their service, respond to risk, and are visibly changing things based on what they find. This breakdown explains each KLOE and what evidence actually passes inspection under the new framework. Why this matters CQC is