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Consultation on reviewing our Standards

Our Standards (for both regulators and Accredited Registers) are a pivotal component of how we deliver our mission and achieve our vision. They are the instruments we use to hold the organisations we oversee to account. But more than that, the Standards are key to driving improvement by challenging organisations to change.

Consultation period

The consultation period has come to an end but we are still accepting submissions from anyone who has already contacted us to agree an extension. Thank you to everyone who has responded already. We are analysing the responses to prepare a report that will be published.

Why are we reviewing our Standards?

We are reviewing our Standards of Good Regulation and Standards for Accredited Registers to ensure they effectively protect the public and uphold professional standards.

Why are we consulting?

We want to make sure that our Standards are fit for the future. We have launched this consultation to gather input and insight from as many stakeholders as we can. 

We want to make sure that the next version of the Standards look for the right things, but can also flex to meet current and future challenges.

What are we proposing?

We've already had initial discussions with stakeholders to sense-check our proposals. Following their feedback, we have now drawn up and launched this public consultation. Our proposals for change include:

  • bringing the two types of standards into alignment where it is possible
  • making the standards clearer, more accessible and transparent,
  • whether/how we should take an interest in organisational governance, culture and leadership given how often it emerges as a challenge in the health and social care sector, and the impact it can have on performance,
  • whether measures could be introduced to remove gaps in criminal convictions checks for some health and social care practitioners, and
  • whether new criteria for registers applying for accreditation will support public confidence. 

Our public consultation is your opportunity to influence what we look at and how we do it when assessing regulator and voluntary register performance. It’s your chance to tell us what you think about the current Standards, and to help shape how we assess regulators and Accredited Registers in the future. It’s also a chance to tell us if there are other areas we should be assessing.

Why do we want your views?

It’s important to us that we hear directly from a wide range of people who are involved with, and who are affected by, our work, so we are seeking views from regulators, Accredited Registers (and prospective Accredited Registers), patient organisations and individuals, registrants/professionals, healthcare employers, professional bodies/unions and members of the public. 

The consultation responses we receive will all be considered and used to develop our approach going forward. This could be by introducing new Standards on areas such as culture, governance or duty of candour, or the removal or simplification of current standards.

By getting involved, you can ensure that we understand how our work is perceived by you (and by all stakeholders). It will allow us to ensure that our Standards are relevant, clear, accessible and are effective in protecting the public. 

What's the deadline?

The deadline for responding is 5pm on 8 May 2025.

How do I respond?

Our consultation overview and explainer document provides more details about how to respond and the link is below.

How can I get in touch?

If you have any questions or would like alternative formats of the consultation overview, please email us at standardsreview@professionalstandards.org.uk

Find out more about the context to our consultation