Well-led framework

Sets out how providers should carry out developmental reviews of their leadership and governance using the well-led framework.

Are services well-led?

As part of our commitment to simplifying our regulatory approaches, we’ve worked closely with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to bring together our respective approaches resulting in a fully joint well-led framework structured around eight key lines of enquiry.

We strongly encourage providers to use the new framework to undertake developmental reviews as part of their own continuous improvement.

Continuous improvement

The new framework maintains focus on strong integrated governance and leadership across quality, finance and operations, and in line with the changing operating environment and Developing People – Improving Care, increases emphasis on organisational culture, improvement and system working.

Our new guidance sets out how providers should carry out developmental reviews of their leadership and governance using the framework as part of their own continuous improvement. It includes information about carrying out self-reviews and commissioning external suppliers to facilitate reviews.

We encourage providers to consider involving peer reviewers as part of their external facilitation team where appropriate to make use of and enhance skills and experience across the NHS.

CQC assessments and the well-led framework

CQC uses the well-led framework to structure their assessments of the well-led question as part their next phase of regulation.

Supporting documents

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