Jude Vernalls - Social Care Training & Support

CQC are seeking views on their draft sector-specific assessment frameworks.

I would recommend viewing the PDF version. It is easier to follow and feels closer to the familiar KLOE ratings characteristics format.

Survey closes on 12 June.

Give your views on draft sector-specific assessment frameworks - Care Quality Commission As part of our Better regulation, better care public consultation, which closed at the end of last year, one of our proposals was to introduce separate assessment frameworks that are more specific and relevant to the health and care sectors that we regulate.

How is it nearly the end of March already?

It’s been a busy stretch since the start of February. Here’s a snapshot of what I’ve been up to:

• Supporting a service to complete a PAMMS self-assessment and develop a clear action plan
• PIR writing support
• Reviewing and designing audits to strengthen oversight and highlight gaps
• Designing competency, supervision and appraisal tools
• Supporting Fit Person Interview preparation
• Designing job descriptions
• Developing policies (Quality Assurance and Retention)
• Developing a retention schedule
• Supporting organisations with the Care Certificate
• Embedding the essentials of care planning

I am privileged that the trust leaders have in me allows for open and honest conversations. This makes it easier to identify priorities, put plans in place and move things forward.

Heading into spring, the services I support are feeling more settled, with clearer direction and the confidence to move things forward. 🌸🌸

January 2026 reflections.

A full-on start to the year, that’s included:

• Complaints support
• Safeguarding investigation support
• PAMMS preparation
• Client feedback analysis and reporting
• Working with services to benchmark against commissioning KPIs
• DPIAs and RoPAs
• Audit design
• Service improvement plan updates
• Policy reviews
• Staff competency frameworks
• Mentoring sessions
• Senior meeting planning

What stands out already this year:

• A significant rise in retained hours for more planned, ongoing support for Providers and Registered Managers

The feedback I’m getting:

• Providers and Registered Managers want someone alongside them, not just parachuting in when there’s a crisis
• Regular support is giving my clients space to think and lead with more confidence
• ‘You’re the best decision I’ve made in a long time’

And on a personal note:
• I’m very grateful to have had a few days in Porto with friends
• Work matters. Balance matters too

January set the pace.
2026 is well underway.

My diary is open for 2026.

I have limited availability for new support.

What is available:

- One client space of up to 14 consultancy hours per month
- Three monthly, hourly mentoring spots
- A small number of leadership and management training days

If 2025 took more out of you than expected, this is a good point to pause and do things differently.

I work alongside you.

I take things off your plate.

I help you think clearly, prioritise and move forward with confidence.

This is about making 2026 feel more manageable.

- Less firefighting.
- More headspace.
- Clear support when you need it.

If you are already thinking about how you want this year to feel and would value steady, trusted support, get in touch.

A nasty chest infection prevented me from doing my usual pre-Christmas drop-in to clients this year but please know I hope you all find some time to rest and recharge over this festive season. ✨✨

This week saw the first in a series of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion workshops with a forward thinking organisation that recognises the value of strengthening their e-learning with some peer, face to face time.

Such an engaged group with plenty of honest conversations, especially around assumptions and unconscious bias.

The organisation supports people with learning disabilities, so it felt right to look at the latest LeDeR findings as part of the day. The report is difficult reading and reinforces the important part services play in staying alert to the health inequalities facing people with a learning disability while pushing for safer, fairer outcomes.

You'll find a link to the latest LeDeR report in the comment section.

The past few months have been busy, varied and rewarding.

It’s always a real privilege to work alongside each service on their journey.

A few recent highlights:
• Supporting audit governance
• Developing good practice around care planning
• Reviewing and updating risk registers
• Embedding service improvement planning
• Coaching for registered managers and directors
• Strengthening team relationships
• Creating business continuity plans
• Designing surveys and reporting on feedback
• Designing bespoke workshops
• Delivering Talk & Transform sessions at team away days
• Training leaders, care teams and activity coordinators
• Assisting with registered manager recruitment
• Supporting with writing tenders and policies
• Guiding services on information governance
• Welcoming new Priority Partners

Every day really is different! 💙

August's digital resource 'Activity Survey (Elderly)' is ready to download. 😊 🔗 Link in the comments.

‘𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆. 𝗪𝗲’𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄!’

• Strengthens feedback and involvement by giving people a voice in shaping their daily life
• Gathers valuable insight into favourite activities and wishes
• Ready to use, saving valuable time
• 12 accessible A4 pages in a clear word-and-picture format

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 £𝟱 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵!

If you would prefer to discuss a bespoke survey designed for your service or a specific client group, please get in touch.

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

Easy on the i - a great tool to support accessible information and clear communication. Link in the comments.

This week brought a good mix:

• A CQC workshop
• A Record Keeping workshop
• A support visit with a kitchen focus. Is your service using the latest version of Safer Food, Better Business? Worth checking - links in comments
• And a cheeky Tuesday afternoon off. All four of us, friends who rarely have the same time free, spent it exploring the city where we live. Special times.

I talk a lot about balance and wellbeing in leadership so I try to live it too.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend 😊

First day back after my holiday and I was eased in gently with an invite to a local care home for a tasting session, where Apetito came in to cook and serve a range of their meals.

Many decades ago, my first job in care was as Head Chef in a nursing home and I’ve remained passionate ever since about people having access to food that nourishes and brings pleasure.

I couldn’t fault anything I tried today – it was genuinely tasty and everyone else seemed to agree.

Someone said a dish reminded them of their mum’s cooking. Another tried the Level 4 ‘Fish, Chips & Mushy Peas’ (pictured) and said it tasted just like the food from their favourite chippy in Looe, Cornwall.

I know that bought-in meals can be a divisive topic. They’re not going to be right for every service.

But whatever your setup, in-house catering or using a supplier, these are some of the questions worth asking:

- Is the food we serve genuinely nutritious?
- Is it safe for everyone - including those with swallowing difficulties or allergies?
- Is it good quality - in taste, texture and presentation?
- Is there real choice, including for people on modified diets?
- Are we actively listening to people and using their feedback to shape menus?
- Do people look forward to, and enjoy, their meals?

This is not an advert for Apetito - just some thoughts from someone who cares deeply about how good food supports people’s health and well-being.

‘𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗤𝗖 - 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲!’

🔗 Link to this ‘Fundamental Standards’ support resource in comments.

• Practical resource to build staff confidence
• 13 key standards, each on its own A4 page
• Plain language your team can relate to

Perfect for team meetings, group supervisions, inductions or display.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 £𝟱 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵!