Regulatory Update for Care Providers: 17 September 2026
This week's key regulatory and sector developments from CQC, ISO and the Disclosure and Barring Service
Keeping up with regulatory and sector developments is essential for care providers. This week's update highlights three important developments that care-home managers and staff should be aware of, covering mandatory training on learning disability and autism, the launch of ISO 9001:2026 and updated DBS eligibility guidance for adult social care roles.
This Week at a Glance
Organisation | Updates |
CQC | The CQC has highlighted the mandatory training requirement on learning disability and autism, one year after the publication of the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice. |
ISO | ISO 9001:2026, the new edition of the international quality management standard, was launched on 16 September. |
DBS | Guidance on DBS checks for adult social care roles was updated, including how changes to roles and responsibilities can affect eligibility. |
1. CQC Highlights Mandatory Training Requirement on Learning Disability and Autism
Published: 14 September 2026 | Care Quality Commission (CQC)
One year after the publication of the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice, the CQC has highlighted the importance of the mandatory training requirement on learning disability and autism for health and social care providers.
The Code of Practice sets out how registered health and care providers should meet the training requirement. CQC says it will consider the Code when assessing whether providers have provided learning disability and autism training that is appropriate to staff roles and meets the standards set out in the Code.
The requirement applies across CQC-regulated services, and providers are expected to ensure that staff are appropriately trained to meet the requirements of their roles.
What does this mean for care providers?
Care homes should review whether their current training arrangements provide staff with the appropriate knowledge and skills to support people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
Providers should consider:
Whether relevant staff have completed appropriate learning disability and autism training
Whether training is appropriate to individual roles and responsibilities
Whether staff understand how communication needs can affect the delivery of care
Whether training supports person-centred care and communication
Whether staff training records are accurate and up to date
How training needs are assessed when staff responsibilities change
CQC also states that providers should be able to demonstrate how they have assessed the training needs and abilities of their staff. Where a provider considers that a member of staff does not require the training, there should be a record explaining how that decision was reached.
Key takeaway
Is your staff training appropriate to the needs of the people you support — and can you demonstrate why?
Training should not simply be recorded as completed. Providers need to be able to demonstrate that staff have the appropriate knowledge and skills to deliver safe and person-centred care.
2. ISO 9001:2026 Launches with Updated Focus on Quality Management
Published: 16 September 2026 | International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
ISO has officially launched ISO 9001:2026 – Quality management systems – Requirements, the new edition of the internationally recognised quality management standard.
The updated standard builds on the existing ISO 9001 framework while introducing targeted changes intended to improve clarity, usability and relevance.
ISO says the 2026 edition places greater emphasis on:
Leadership
A culture of quality
Ethical behaviour
Risks and opportunities
Strategic decision-making
Continual improvement
Integration with other ISO management-system standards
The new edition also adopts the latest Harmonized Structure used across ISO management-system standards, making it easier for organisations to integrate ISO 9001 with other management systems.
ISO 9001 is used across a wide range of sectors, including healthcare and social enterprises.
What does this mean for care providers?
For care organisations using ISO 9001 or operating a formal quality-management system, the publication of the new edition provides an opportunity to review existing quality processes.
Providers can consider:
How quality responsibilities are defined across the organisation
Whether quality is embedded into day-to-day practice
How risks and opportunities are identified and addressed
Whether incidents, complaints and feedback contribute to improvement
How leadership supports a culture of quality
Whether current quality-management processes will need to be reviewed against the new edition
Organisations already using ISO 9001 can build on their existing management systems while considering the requirements and transition arrangements associated with the 2026 edition. ISO describes the new standard as an evolution of the existing framework rather than a complete replacement of the approach organisations already use.
Key takeaway
Does your quality-management system help you identify risks, learn from issues and continually improve the care you provide?
A quality system should support effective decision-making and continual improvement — not simply provide evidence for an audit.
Official source: ISO — ISO 9001:2026 launched
3. DBS Guidance Updated for Adult Social Care Roles
Updated: 8 September 2026 | Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
The Disclosure and Barring Service has updated its guidance on DBS checks for adult social care roles.
The guidance explains the eligibility requirements for a range of roles across adult social care, including care workers, care assistants, adult social workers, healthcare professionals and roles within adult care settings. It applies to both paid and unpaid roles.
An important point for employers is that DBS eligibility is linked to the role and the activities the individual carries out.
The DBS guidance states that changes to a person's role or activities can affect the level of DBS check that applies. Employers should therefore assess the actual duties being carried out rather than relying solely on a job title.
For example, care workers and care assistants carrying out certain personal-care activities for adults who need support because of age, illness or disability can be carrying out regulated activity with adults and may be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check with an Adults' Barred List check.
What does this mean for care providers?
Care homes can use the updated guidance as an opportunity to review their recruitment and DBS-checking processes.
Providers should consider:
Whether DBS eligibility has been assessed against the actual responsibilities of each role
Whether changes to existing roles have affected DBS eligibility
Whether recruitment teams are using the latest DBS eligibility guidance
Whether staff records contain the appropriate information
Whether roles involving regulated activity have been correctly identified
Whether managers know when a change in duties may require eligibility to be reassessed
The DBS also advises organisations to use its eligibility guidance and tools to determine the appropriate level of check. Applying for a level of check that a role is not legally eligible for can result in an organisation accessing information it is not entitled to see.
Key takeaway
Are your DBS checks based on what staff actually do, rather than simply what their job title says?
Regularly reviewing role responsibilities can help providers ensure that DBS applications remain appropriate when duties or responsibilities change.
Official source: DBS — DBS checks for adult social care roles
Takeaways for Care Providers
This week's updates highlight three areas that should remain on every care provider's radar:
Staff training
Make sure staff have appropriate learning disability and autism training and that training needs are assessed according to their roles and responsibilities.
Quality management
Use quality-management systems to support leadership, risk management, learning and continual improvement rather than treating them simply as compliance requirements.
Recruitment and DBS checks
Ensure DBS eligibility is assessed against the actual activities and responsibilities associated with each role, particularly when roles change.
Keeping up to date with regulatory and sector developments is one part of maintaining safe, effective and person-centred care.
Related CareLearner Resources
Explore relevant training to support your care team:
Learning Disability and Autism Awareness: Develop staff knowledge and understanding of learning disabilities and autism, including communication, person-centred support and respectful care.
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights: Support staff in providing respectful, inclusive and person-centred care.
Disclaimer
Regulatory and sector updates are provided for general information and should be considered alongside the latest guidance and requirements applicable to your organisation. Always refer to the original source for full details and the most up-to-date information.
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