CQC appoints first chief inspector of adult social care

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has appointed its first chief inspector of adult social care.

Andrea Sutcliffe, who is currently chief executive of the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), is “delighted” to be offered the role. She said: “I am honoured and delighted to be appointed to this vital role. I am looking forward to working with everyone at CQC and across social care to help make a difference for people who are using services, their families and carers. Nothing is more important.”

It will be Ms Sutcliffe’s responsibility to lead CQC’s inspection and regulation of adult social care, as well as developing a new approach to the way the body monitors the sector. She will also oversee the development of a new rating system for social care providers, focusing on the interests of those who use the services.

Speaking about the appointment, CQC chief executive David Behan said: “Andrea is the ideal person to lead the work on ensuring social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate high quality care.

“As one of three chief inspectors, Andrea will have a key role in delivering CQC’s plans and making sure that people who use services are at the heart of what we do.”

Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb has welcomed the appointment of Ms Sutcliffe, who has worked in the health and social care sector for almost 30 years. He said: “The millions of people receiving care services, and their families, deserve the same level of clarity and rigour that NHS hospital patients deserve and will get. It is vital that care users and patients get the sort of joined up care that is at the heart of the new care and support system and I would expect the new chief inspector the champion this.

“Andrea Sutcliffe brings a wealth of experience to the role and I am confident that she will both be a champion of good practice, as well as ruthless in identifying and leading improvements in those areas where poor care exists. She has an excellent record of delivering change and I look forward to working with her in this new and pivotal position.”

Lord Michael Bichard, chair of SCIE, was one of the first to offer congratulations to Ms Sutcliffe following her appointment. He said: “Andrea has made an outstanding contribution to SCIE’s future development, including securing our contract for the NICE Collaborating Centre for Social Care and a £2m commission from the Department of Health. I am, of course, disappointed that she will not be with us as we deliver on those plans but I am proud that SCIE has produced the new chief inspector for adult social care. This is a pivotal appointment and I know that Andrea will bring her exceptional skills, knowledge and energy to the role. On behalf of the board and SCIE staff, we congratulate Andrea and wish her well – and we will, of course, continue to work closely with her in her new role at CQC."

Sandie Keene, president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Care (ADASS), also offered congratulations to Ms Sutcliffe. She said: “Andrea has already made a significant impact on social care through her excellent leadership of SCIE. She has brought professionals together to champion and support the sector’s quest to improve continuously.

“Most importantly, she has engaged fully with the people who use our services to drive and influence change. Andrea has brought a keen independent eye to lead SCIE during the past 18 months and I am sure she will bring the same challenging, collaborative and supportive leadership to this new and important post with the CQC.

“ADASS wishes her well and is looking forward to working with her in her new and important role.”