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Our team of specialist regulatory lawyers comment on the latest developments in the field. We welcome your comments on our posts. If you would like more information on our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01616 966 229.

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Ofsted Big Listen - have your say

Chloe Parish
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Ofsted have today announced a new consultation to seek the views of those right across their work, including educators, early years professionals, social care professionals, parents, carers, and many more. Ofsted have confirmed that this will focus on four...

"Industrial-Scale Fraud" at Nigerian Test Centre Investigated by NMC

Cameron Stubbs
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The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) have reported that they have uncovered extensive fraud occurring at a test centre in Nigeria, which has resulted in hundreds of applicants potentially obtaining fraudulent results. In light of the NMC’s...

New Border Target Operating Model - introduced from January 2024

Cameron Stubbs
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In August 2023 the Secretary of State for Cabinet Office presented to Parliament a new Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). The BTOM applies to all imports into Great Britain, including imports from the EU. The purpose of the BTOM is to balance the need...

Ofsted Annual Report - key findings for early years

Chloe Parish
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Ofsted carried out over 12,000 inspections this year and found that 85% were good or outstanding, with childminders more likely to receive a good or outstanding grade. Whilst these are positive statistics, the report highlights key challenges faced by the...

Ofsted to implement changes to its post-inspection and complaints process

Chloe Parish
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Ofsted have announced that, following a three-month consultation, it will be making changes to the post-inspection and complaints-handling process to ensure that concerns about inspections are dealt with quickly and robustly. This move follows widespread...

Supported accommodation: Ofsted's inspection and enforcement powers

Chloe Parish
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Last week I provided guidance to those wanting to understand more about the requirements for registration for supported accommodation for a looked after child or a care leaver aged 16 or 17, particularly in light of this becoming mandatory on 28...

Does my supported accommodation service need to be registered with Ofsted?

Chloe Parish
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Historically, supported accommodation (sometimes referred to as independent or semi-independent provisions or unregulated provisions) for a looked after child or a care leaver aged 16 or 17 had no independent oversight. In December 2021, Ofsted agreed to...

CQC's State of Care report 2022/23

Laura Hannah
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The contents of CQC’s State of Care report 2022/2023 is unlikely to come as a shock to adult social care providers as there have been many significant ongoing challenges for providers in the past few years. The cost of living crisis has placed...

What are my options if I receive a clandestine entrant civil penalty?

Cameron Stubbs
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A clandestine entrant is a person who enters the UK concealed in a vehicle in order to evade border controls. Operators of commercial vehicles entering the UK are required to implement effective systems to prevent clandestine entrants stowing away in their...

How to apply for restoration to the NMC

Adam Smith
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If you have been removed or struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), you may wish to apply for restoration. The NMC will assess your fitness to practice before restoring you to the register, in line with Article 33 of the Nursing and Midwifery...

Significant increase in CQC prosecutions and fines

Laura Hannah
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Since the CQC’s enforcement policy was published in 2015, it is clear to see that the CQC’s use of their criminal enforcement powers has been on the rise, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic. The CQC has the power to prosecute...

Dormant providers - what to do when CQC cancels registration

Laura Hannah
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The CQC has the power to cancel a service provider’s CQC registration pursuant to Section 17(1)(e) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and Regulation 6(1)(c) of the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009 if: “a registered...

Should I challenge CQC's decision to refuse my application for registration?

Laura Hannah
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The CQC’s Annual Report and Accounts 2021/2022 (the ‘annual report’) was published on 18 July 2023. The aim of this publication is to look at the CQC’s progress during the 2021/2022 financial year and identify any areas of focus...

Area SEND inspections: CQC and Ofsted's joint approach

Laura Hannah
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From 1st January 2023, a new framework and handbook for inspecting local area arrangements for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) was jointly published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Ofsted. ...

Government plans to make visiting in care homes a fundamental standard for CQC registered providers

Laura Hannah
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The government has recently published an open consultation, ‘Visiting in care homes, hospitals and hospices’ (updated on 28 June 2023) which outlines its proposal for new legislation which would make visiting a legal requirement in care homes...

Successfully challenging a CQC rating

Laura Hannah
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Challenging a CQC inspection report or rating is important but it is often a step avoided by providers. Many providers often tell us that they are worried about challenging the CQC as they want to maintain a good relationship with their inspector and...

Ofsted announces proposed changes to its post inspection and complaints process

Chloe Parish
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Ofsted have announced that it will embarking on a three-month consultation on proposed changes to its post-inspection and complaints-handling process to ensure that concerns about inspections are dealt with quickly and robustly, but not in a way that is...

Expansion of free childcare - Budget 2023

Chloe Parish
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Whilst the concept of expanding free childcare to include one and two-year-olds appears to be a positive step, as ever, it is important to consider the detail of this announcement and its longer-term impact for early years providers. The current funding...

Are you carrying out a regulated activity without CQC registration?

Laura Hannah
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It is a criminal offence to carry out a regulated activity without being registered with the CQC under Section 10(1) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. If found guilty of an offence under Section 10, the court can impose an unlimited fine and/or a...

What prosecution powers do the CQC have?

Laura Hannah
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The CQC has a wide range of criminal enforcement powers which include the power to prosecute and issue fixed penalty notices or simple cautions to organisations and individuals. These powers are, however, limited to registered providers and certain...

Hundreds of schools previously rated "outstanding" downgraded by Ofsted

Chloe Parish
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The announcement that 83% of schools have lost their previous ‘outstanding’ grading in a wave of recent inspections is unsurprising. Previously Ofsted have allowed for ‘outstanding’ schools to only be inspected where there were...

Professional discipline and fitness to practise investigations - how can we help?

Carl Johnson
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Professional discipline is the process by which regulators and professional bodies take action against the registration of their members. A regulator may commence an investigation for a variety of reasons including deficient performance, allegations of...

Proposed changes to General Medical Council's good medical practice guidance

Martin Haisley
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‘Good medical practice’ is a core document issued by the General Medical Council (GMC) which outlines the standards expected of doctors who are registered with the GMC.  Between 27 April 2022 and 20 July 2022, the GMC ran a...

Calorie labelling rules - does my business need to comply?

Paul Loughlin
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From the 6th April 2022, food service companies employing 250 people or more will need to display kilocalories (KCAL) details on food and soft drink . This includes cafes, restaurants and takeaways, caterers and franchises in relation to non pre-packed...

What are my options if goods are seized by Border Force or HMRC?

Cameron Stubbs
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Goods can be seized by HMRC or Border Force under Section 139 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 when there has been a breach of customs law, for example, if the goods being imported are misdeclared. Once seized, the owner of the goods will be...

CQC prosecutions: care home provider ordered to pay over £51,000

Laura Hannah
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In a press release issued by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 18 February 2022, it was reported that the CQC had prosecuted a care home provider of a residential care home providing personal care to people aged 65 and over, who may have dementia. ...

COVID-19 vaccination requirement in care homes to be revoked from 15 March 2022

Laura Hannah
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As of 11 November 2021, it was a legal requirement for registered persons, namely those registered as providers and managers with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), to ensure that only people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 were permitted to...

Can I be prosecuted for the contamination of land?

Paul Loughlin
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Land is contaminated when there are polluting substances in, on or under the land. This may mean that the substances have been left in buildings or on land or that the substances are buried in the ground. Every local authority has a duty under Part 2A of...

COVID-19 vaccinations in care homes - be prepared

Laura Hannah
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From 11 November 2021, it will be a legal requirement for registered persons, namely those registered as providers and managers with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), to ensure that only people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are permitted to...

CQC prosecute care provider for failing to provide safe care and treatment

Laura Hannah
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It was recently reported that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) prosecuted the registered provider of a residential care home for people with physical and learning disabilities, and those with acquired brain injuries for a failure to provide safe care...

Trading Standards have discovered and seized over a million illegitimate cigarettes in England and Wales this year

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Welsh Trading Standards teams have been working with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as part of ‘Operation CeCe’, a national Trading Standards initiative, targeting illegal tobacco products. Recent raids carried out across Wales saw not...

Top tips for applying to register a children's home

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Ofsted recently published a blog which set out recommendations and tips for completing a successful application to register a children’s home, which can be found here . Currently, Ofsted confirm that the average processing time to register a...

Could your business be subject to the new regulations for fuels?

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The Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020 (‘the regulations’) are made under section 87 of the Environment Act 1995, and they make provision restricting the sale of certain solid fuels, and provide...

Harassment normalised among children, warns Ofsted

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Today, Ofsted have published a report summarising their findings and recommendations as a result of their review into safeguarding policies and practices relating to sexual abuse in state and independent schools and colleges. The review was prompted...

5 top tips for preparing for the return of Ofsted inspections

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Ofsted have announced the return of graded inspection for some registered early years providers from 4th May. It’s important that providers and settings are fully prepared for the return of inspections. After a year of upheaval due to the COVID-19...

Breaching the duty of candour - CQCs first prosecution of an independent provider

Laura Hannah
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All health and social care providers and managers have a statutory duty of candour in accordance with Regulation 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. This is a duty to act in an open and transparent way with...

Does a care recruitment agency require CQC registration?

Laura Hannah
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The main purpose of many recruitment businesses in the care sector is to recruit the right individuals into a care setting. For many, this is where their role ends. However, it is becoming increasingly common for these types of businesses to take more of...

Do you require a licence to fell trees?

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Believe it or not, tree felling is a legally controlled activity. The Forestry Act 1967 creates the legal framework for felling trees in England and Wales. It mandates that a felling licence is required to fell all “growing”, i.e. living,...

Why do businesses need to manage health and safety?

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Managing the health and safety of their employees, visitors to their premises and any interactions with the public is the legal responsibility of every businesses. Current health and safety legislation requires every business to have a health and safety...

Where should health and safety rules be displayed?

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By law, every business that employs someone must display the health and safety law poster on their premises or provide each worker with the approved leaflet or pocket card. Most businesses will do both, especially if they receive visitors or members of the...

What does PPE stand for in health and safety?

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PPE in health and safety stands for personal protective equipment and refers to the equipment, tools or clothing that are required to minimise the risk to individual workers from specific hazards related to their role or specific activities they undertake...

What are the health and safety regulations?

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The main statutory framework for the regulation of health and safety at work is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. There have been many amendments and additions to these regulations since the legislation was first passed, but the principal...

How often should health and safety policies be reviewed?

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It’s the legal responsibility of every business to have a health and safety policy in place. Whilst the specifics of the policy will depend on the nature of your business, the working environment(s) that you operate in and the activities that you...

Department for Education announces ban on placing children under 16 in unregulated accommodation

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As a part of the government’s response to the consultation into ‘Reforms to unregulated provision for children in care and care leavers’, the Department for Education (DfE) have announced plans to ban placing vulnerable children under the...

Why is health and safety important?

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Health and safety regulations are important because they help to protect people and businesses. This area of law helps to ensure that people have a safe working environment and that employers take their responsibilities seriously. Managing health and...

Who is responsible for workplace health and safety?

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When considering who is legally responsible for health and safety at work, it is important for businesses to be aware that the vast majority of the obligation falls on the employer themselves. Businesses must provide a safe working environment for all...

Who enforces health and safety law?

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Health and safety law enforcement in Great Britain is generally carried out either by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the local authority, depending on the type of work and hazard involved. Fire safety , which can fall under general health...

The CQC's consultation: a more flexible and responsive approach to regulation?

Laura Hannah
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Whilst the CQC’s core regulatory role has not changed, the pandemic has undoubtedly highlighted the need for the CQC to change its approach to the way in which it regulates, in order to allow more flexibility and to place themselves in a better...

Challenging CQC inspection reports: Beware of the deadline

Laura Hannah
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In recent months, it has come to our attention that many of our clients are being incorrectly advised of their deadline for making a factual accuracy challenge to their draft inspection reports by their inspectors. When issuing a draft report, care...

What are the implications of Brexit on environmental regulation?

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UK environmental law is deeply rooted in EU law and policies, particularly in respect of waste management, air and water pollution, nature conservation and noise, to name just a few. However, some areas, such as environmental criminal law, are still...

Official statistics reveal reports of COVID cases in early years settings almost double in a week

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Unlike schools, early years settings have remained open during the current lockdown. Reports of COVID cases to Ofsted increased from 1,267 for the week commencing 4th January to 2,357 in the week commencing 11th January. Reports of cases decreased slightly...

Ofsted reports COVID-19 isolation is having a detrimental impact on children's education and welfare

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On 17th March 2020, Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a part of their phased return to routine inspections, Ofsted have been carrying out ‘assurance visits’ to children’s social care...

Covid secure measures in the transport and logistics sector

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The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) continues to encourage and enforce covid secure measures in the transport and logistics sector. In a bulletin released on 20th January 2021 the HSE explained they have been working with local authorities to carry...

Ofsted remote inspections begin

Chloe Parish
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Remote inspections of schools and further education providers commenced on 25 January, with particular focus on how well children are being educated remotely. Whilst many providers of education will understand the need for Ofsted to continue with their...

Ofsted Early Years Inspections: When will they recommence and what will they look like?

Chloe Parish
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On 17 March 2020, Ofsted suspended all routine inspections of early years settings, save for where urgent visits were required due to concerns raised about a setting. Originally, Ofsted had hoped to recommence full inspections from January 2021, however...

The consequences of failing to register with the CQC

Laura Hannah
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It was recently reported that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) prosecuted a woman who had been running a domiciliary care agency and providing the regulated activity of ‘personal care’ without CQC registration. It is a criminal offence to...

Infection prevention and control: the CQC's IPC inspection and monitoring

Laura Hannah
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It would be an understatement to say that 2020 had been a difficult and challenging year for the adult social care sector. The emergence of a global pandemic brought about significant change to the way in which care homes had to operate, as well as the way...

How road transport operators can be affected by environmental enforcement action

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The road transport sector has become increasingly involved in waste management, whether it be as carriers of waste materials and/or as those engaged in recycling and disposal operations. However, there have been a number of changes to environmental...

The Environment Agency's approach to regulation and enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic

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As with all regulatory bodies, the Environment Agency (EA) recognise the difficulties businesses are facing as a result of COVID-19. However, it is important to note that COVID-19 is not an excuse to operate illegally. You must be aware of your continued...

PSA release guidance on conducting fitness to practise hearings during pandemic

Carl Johnson
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The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) has released detailed guidance for health and social care regulators on conducting fitness to practise hearings during the Covid-19 pandemic. The PSA oversees regulators such as the ...

Sexual misconduct by healthcare practitioners - key themes

Carl Johnson
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Sexual misconduct in health and social care is, thankfully, a rare occurrence. In a small minority of cases however, professionals can seriously breach physical or sexual boundaries with their patients or colleagues. Not only can such cases have a...

Could coronavirus be transmitted through frozen foods?

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Of particular concern during this pandemic has been the apparent emergence of food manufacturing plants as high risk environments for outbreaks of Covid-19 amongst employees. In particular, meat processing plants and abattoirs have seen high volumes...

More coronavirus inspections by the Health & Safety Executive?

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As the country faces the prospect of a second lockdown in light of rising infection rates and a prediction of significantly increased hospital admissions, the government has updated the protection advice to the public in order to reduce the spread of...

The CQC's first prosecution for a breach of duty of candour

Laura Hannah
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It was recently reported that the CQC prosecuted University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust for breaching the duty of candour, contrary to Regulation 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. This is the first reported...

Food Standards Agency launches 'Here to Help' campaign

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The Food Standards Agency (FSA) have implemented a practical guide for businesses so they are aware of how to register, re-open and adapt to the way they trade during COVID-19. During the national lockdown, it is the case that many established...

Councils use new powers to close establishments

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Local councils in the North West have used new powers, under the COVID-19 regulations, to close establishments after what was described in one case as a ‘flagrant disregard’ for the new rules. Concerns were raised regarding failing to ensure...

HSE inspecting businesses for COVID-secure measures

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The recent spike in coronavirus cases in the North West has seen the HSE taking action by visiting businesses in Blackburn and surrounding areas to ensure they are COVID-secure. The inspectors are working alongside local public health authorities and...

Ofsted announces changes to its post inspection and complaints processes

Chloe Parish
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Following a public consultation, Ofsted have announced that it will be revising its post-inspection and complaints-handling arrangements to ensure that concerns about inspections can be dealt with quickly and before an inspection report has been finalised....

The resumption of dental services - business as usual?

Carl Johnson
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On 25th March, in response threat posed by COVID-19, the Chief Dental Officer for England announced that all routine, non-urgent dental care should be stopped and deferred until further notice. This caused significant concern within the profession and left...

Challenging the CQC's decision to refuse your registration

Laura Hannah
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One of the unfortunate outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic is that many care homes and nursing homes may end up having to close due to the additional financial pressures this pandemic has placed on already struggling social care services. In recent years,...

CQC prosecution highlights gap in the law for unregistered providers

Laura Hannah
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A recent prosecution brought by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) against an unregistered provider has further highlighted a serious gap in the legislation concerning the regulation of unregistered services. On 10 June 2020, the owners of a homecare...

What is a rent repayment order and can I defend it?

Chloe Parish
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A rent repayment order (known as an ‘RRO’) is an order made by the first-tier tribunal requiring a landlord to repay a specified amount of rent. An application for an RRO can be made by either the council or the tenants of the relevant...

General Pharmaceutical Council failing to meet four of the Standards of Good Regulation for Fitness to Practise

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The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) for Health and Social Care oversees the ten statutory bodies that regulate health professionals in the United Kingdom and social workers in England. The PSA are an independent body who are accountable to...

Ofsted inspectors to record evidence using body cameras when visiting unregistered schools

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From February 2020 until April 2020, Ofsted are piloting body-worn video cameras in all suspected unregistered illegal schools in order to protect their inspectors, seize evidence and increase prosecutions. Ofsted have repeatedly called on the...

Importing or exporting goods after Brexit

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The UK’s departure from the EU brings about a period of uncertainty for many UK businesses, as they try to plan for and adapt to the possible changes. At 11pm on January 31st 2020 the UK entered a transition period which is due to last until the...

Solicitors Regulation Authority investigations - the year ahead (part two)

Carl Johnson
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Carl Johnson, partner and head of the regulatory department at Stephensons, outlines what we can expect to see in the field of Solicitors Regulation Authority enforcement during the 2020.  2019 was a significant year for the regulation of...

Solicitors Regulation Authority investigations - the year ahead (part one)

Carl Johnson
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Carl Johnson, partner and head of the regulatory department at Stephensons, outlines what we can expect to see in the field of Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) enforcement during 2020.  2019 was a significant year for the regulation of...

Houses of multiple occupancy - interviews under caution

Chloe Parish
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An interview under caution is an interview that is conducted in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (sometimes referred to as a PACE interview). This means that at the start of the interview, you will be cautioned. Local authorities...

Doctor's engagement at MPTS hearings linked to decisions

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A recent cross-sectional study conducted by the General Medical Council (GMC) has indicated that a doctor’s engagement in Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearings is more associated with the outcome, rather than the personal...

68% of people consider the Ofsted rating of a school to be very important when choosing where to place their child

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In a recent poll, 68%* of individuals indicated that the Ofsted rating of a school is ‘very important’ when choosing where to place their child. 29% indicated it was ‘quite’ important and 7% indicated that it was...

Potential risks to tenants as statistics reveal a low compliance rate for HMO licensing schemes in London

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There are over 310,000 private rented properties in London that require HMO Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing. However, recent research has confirmed that over 130,000 properties in London remain unlicensed under the HMO licensing scheme and as...

Brexit - prepare your business to import goods from the EU to the UK

Cameron Stubbs
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Currently, as the United Kingdom is a member of the European Union, organisations and individuals who are importing goods from an EU member state are not required to pay certain charges. These charges include import duties and taxes. This is a result of...

What are remote consultations?

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The General Medical Council has recently issued new guidance about remote consultations, as these appear to be on the rise, in order to address any concerns remote consultations may bring when it comes to patient safety. What are they? Remote...

Trading Standards find that major retailers continue to sell knives to children

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Retailers are urged to take more action in order to stop knives being sold to under 18s. Tests carried out by Trading Standards in England and Wales between 1 st April 2018 and 31 st March 2019 found that 344 out of 2231 retailers failed to prevent the...

CQC issue "smiling matters" report on oral health care in care homes

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In 2016, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence issued guidance on oral health care and this made a number of recommendations in relation to oral health care for adults in care homes. However, in a recent report issued by the Care Quality...

PPI deadline imminent - FCA guidance to firms

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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) PPI deadline of 29 th August 2019 is fast approaching. There has been widespread advertising both by the FCA and claims management companies advising consumers of the impending deadline. As such it is anticipated that...

Ofsted release helpful guidance on the differences between unregistered and unregulated provisions in social care

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There has been a noticed increase in Ofsted’s focus on provisions that are operating without registration in the social care sector for children. However, the situation is not always clear cut as to whether an organisation is required to be...

Personal care - the requirement to register and when it goes wrong

Laura Hannah
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A regulated activity is defined as “an activity which involves, or is connected with, the provision of health or social care in, or in relation to, England." Activities which are considered to be connected with the provision of health or social...

What does Ofsted's new early years inspection framework mean for providers?

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On 14th May 2019, Ofsted published its updated inspection framework, which will be applicable to all education providers from September 2019.  The new framework has been in the pipeline for almost two years and was under public consultation from...

New threshold policy for HCPC fitness to practise investigations

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In January 2019, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) launched its new threshold policy. This replaced the HCPC’s previous standards of acceptance policy. The new policy launched on 14 th January 2019 and sets out a new approach to how...

Recent changes to the regulation of online pharmacies

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The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has recently issued updated guidance for those providing pharmacy services at a distance, including on the internet. The guidance was issued shortly after the GPhC wrote an open letter to the chief executive of the...

GMC pilot scheme: a reduction in the number of full investigations into one-off mistakes by doctors

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Following the completion of a successful two year pilot scheme, the General Medical Council (GMC) will now reduce the number of full investigations they carry out in relation to single clinical mistakes. More than 200 single clinical incident cases were...

Bolton Wanderers issued with prohibition notice under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975

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On 2 April 2019, following a meeting with the clubs Safety Advisory Group (SAG), Bolton Wanderers Football Club were issued with a prohibition notice under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 (the Act). The SAG, which is made up of representatives from...

CQC publishes new guidance on relationships and sexuality in adult social care services

Laura Hannah
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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) published new guidance on 21st February 2019 for inspection teams and registered adult social care providers that sets out how care providers should consider the relationship and sexuality needs of people using adult...

CQC makes changes to inspection report processes

Laura Hannah
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On 28 th January 2019, the CQC implemented changes to their inspection report writing template and processes. The CQC state that these changes have been produced with and tested by care providers and inspectors and will apply to all inspection reports in...

No-deal Brexit: FCA regulated firms should ensure that they are prepared for all outcomes

Carl Johnson
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With the United Kingdom due to leave the European Union on 29th March 2019 and no deal presently in place to govern the transition period which is due run to 31st December 2020, firms and regulated persons should ensure that they have contingencies in...

Ofsted successful in appealing High Court decision which ruled their complaints procedure was unfair

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The Court of Appeal ruled in favour of Ofsted, allowing their appeal against a decision of the High Court in 2017, which ruled their complaints procedure was unfair for those schools judged to require special measures or have serious weaknesses. The Court...

Tougher and more robust systems in place for taxi licenses in order to protect public safety

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Councils in England and Wales are currently encouraged to check criminal records and take a ‘strong stance’ on previous offences, such as sexual assault or rape, when drivers apply for taxi licences. Essentially, current guidelines allow...

CQC concerned as more than half of London's care homes fail fire safety inspection

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The London Fire Brigade (the brigade) has warned of a risk to the elderly as 101 out of 177 premises are told to address safety concerns. The concerns follow a one-off series of in-depth fire safety inspections by the brigade in light of a number of...

FIFA's proposed solidarity payment reform

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In September 2018, the FIFA Football Stakeholders Committee gave its backing to a ‘ground breaking reform package of the transfer system’. This included a number of suggested amendments to the current system, such as the creation of a...

NMC approves changes to English language requirements for international nurses and midwives

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The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) recently proposed changes to the requirements for nurses and midwives from outside the UK taking the International Language Test System (IELTS), as part of the NMC’s international registration process. ...