November 2025 Newsletter
Good Morning
Welcome to our November newsletter. It is a busy month at DKJ, with a full programme of Masterclasses and Deep Dives to help you stay ahead of the changes coming into Primary Care. We also see the return of our popular 10-Year Plan Q&A sessions this month, giving you the chance to explore the latest policy direction and what it means for your organisation. There is plenty to get involved in, and we look forward to supporting you throughout the month.
As always at DKJ, if you have any questions or want to chat about anything, please get in touch with us any time!
November's Masterclass Spotlight
November's Masterclass Spotlight Get CQC Ready - Understanding Your Partners
Wednesday 5 November 13:00 – 14:30
This Masterclass helps GP practices get ready for CQC inspection by focusing on how staff, teams and external partners work together to deliver safe, joined-up care. We’ll break down the CQC Quality Statements on Staff and Teams and Partnerships and Communities, showing what inspectors are looking for in practice.
What you’ll learn:
- How teams share information and work together to plan, deliver, and coordinate care, including transitions, referrals, and discharges.
- How practices build strong partnerships with other organisations and communities, share learning, and improve services.
- Practical steps to show CQC that your practice delivers seamless care and effective collaboration.
Who should attend:
Practice leaders, managers and staff involved in care coordination, team management, or partnership working who want to understand how to meet CQC expectations and demonstrate effective teamwork.
An Introduction to the CQC Single Assessment Framework
Tuesday 18 November 09:30 – 11:00
This essential masterclass is designed for anyone new to CQC assessments, those taking on a healthcare role involving CQC responsibilities, or anyone looking for a practical refresher.
You’ll gain a clear understanding of why CQC assessment matters, what the Single Assessment Framework (SAF) involves, and how to prepare effectively when the inspector calls.
We’ll cover:
- Why assessment is important
- Key CQC standards and legislation
- The Single Assessment Framework – what’s new and what to expect
- How CQC monitors and rates services
- The role of feedback in the assessment process
- How to evidence that your service meets or exceeds the standards
- Latest insight into CQC priorities and themes
Learning outcomes
By the end of the session, you will:
- Understand the CQC Single Assessment Framework, including the new areas of focus
- Know how to prepare your team and service for inspection
- Be confident in evidencing compliance and good practice
This is a practical, plain-English introduction ideal for those working in general practice, PCNs, community care, and other regulated services.
CQC Single Assessment Framework and Staff
Tuesday 25 November 12:00 – 13:30
Is your HR and recruitment strategy aligned with CQC expectations? Do you know how inspectors assess workforce compliance?
Join our DKJ Masterclass for an essential deep dive into the CQC Single Assessment Framework, focusing on how HR and recruitment are evaluated through the 34 Quality Statements.
We’ll explore:
- Safe and Effective Staffing – Ensuring the right people, in the right roles, at the right time
- Workforce Wellbeing & Enablement – Supporting and empowering staff for better care delivery
- Workforce Equality, Diversity & Inclusion – Meeting CQC standards for a fair and inclusive workplace
Why attend?
✔ Understand what CQC inspectors look for in HR and recruitment practices
✔ Gain practical tips to strengthen your workforce compliance strategy
✔ Ensure your organisation is fully prepared for inspection
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your HR practices and be CQC-ready.
Single Neighbourhood Provider Contracts and CQC - What You Need to Know
What is a Single Neighbourhood Provider (SNP) contract?
An SNP contract creates one accountable provider for a neighbourhood population. It brings together services currently delivered through PCNs, such as enhanced access, vaccinations and projects tackling health inequalities. The aim is simpler commissioning, clearer accountability and better joined-up care with community, mental health, social care and voluntary partners.
The contract holder could be a PCN, a lead practice, a small GP federation or another local provider. Whoever takes it on must be able to deliver regulated services safely across sites, with strong governance and clinical leadership.
Who should consider holding the SNP?
You are likely to be ready if you already deliver services at PCN scale, can serve a defined population of around 30–50k people, and have robust governance, data, workforce and partnerships in place. Readiness means being able to provide safe, consistent care from day one, not just having ambition.
CQC registration
If the SNP organisation directly delivers regulated activities, it must be registered with the CQC.
How this works will depend on the model:
• New PCN company: new CQC registration with all neighbourhood sites listed
• Lead practice: vary existing registration to cover neighbourhood services
• Sub-contracting to practices: may not require CQC registration for the SNP entity, but commissioners expect clear accountability and standardisation
Registration should be started early to avoid delays or legal risk.
Governance and structure
There is no single required structure, but CQC and commissioners expect:
• A functioning Board with clear decision-making
• Quality, safety, finance and performance oversight
• Named clinical and corporate leads
• Clear subcontracts and responsibilities across delivery sites
• A live risk and incident framework
Common legal options include a PCN company, a lead practice, a GP federation, or a merged practice model.
Planning for SNP delivery
Success depends on strong documentation and evidence that policies are used in practice. Key early steps include:
• Agree the legal entity and footprint
• Map regulated activities and locations
• Appoint a Registered Manager and key leads
• Build core policies, SOPs, risk registers and insurance
• Apply early for CQC registration
• Train and induct staff on neighbourhood-wide ways of working
• Test governance and quality processes before go-live
What “good” looks like
Your evidence must align with the CQC Single Assessment Framework. Priority areas include a clear Statement of Purpose, neighbourhood-level safeguarding, IPC and medicines policies, data sharing, workforce governance and regular quality reporting.
Strong leadership roles and clear line management are essential so staff know who to go to and how to escalate concerns.
DKJ Chats November 2025
Work With Us
Are you looking for project work and have worked in health and social care?
We are pleased to be looking for more Associates to work on national projects and provide interim support to primary care and social care organisations.
If you have experience working in primary or social care, we would love to hear from you and have a chat with you about how you can support us with our growing portfolio of work in these sectors.
If you are interested, please drop us your CV or a short personal statement to our Operations Manager at claire@dkjsupportservices.co.uk.
We look forward to hearing from you 😊
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