Independent guidance for England · Content version: 1 November 2026Pre-launch review
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Sector guide · England

Autism and learning-disability services

Show how individual support promotes dignity, communication and choice. For specialist services, the application and ongoing evidence should explain how positive support and the reduction of restrictive practices work in everyday care.

EnglandContent version: 1 November 2026Independent guidance
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Scope and registration considerations

  • CQC asks specified residential, homecare and supported-living applicants to demonstrate alignment with Right support, right care, right culture.
  • Specialist applicants need relevant positive behaviour support and restraint-policy evidence under current supporting-document guidance.
  • Distinguish support and treatment services from diagnosis-only services when analysing registration.

Suggested evidence priorities

These are practical audit recommendations. They are not a claim that CQC requires an identical checklist from every provider.

  • Individual communication, preferences and support planning.
  • Positive behaviour support and functional assessment arrangements.
  • Consent, capacity and review of restrictions.
  • Staff training, supervision and reflective practice.
  • Feedback, incident patterns and evidence of improvements.

Useful independent guides

Registering a health or care service in England The fundamental standards: a practical overview Regulation 17: good governance that can be evidenced Statutory notifications: making the right report Preparing evidence for the Well-led key question

Primary sources

  1. cqc.org.uk — Provider application forms (opens in a new tab)
  2. cqc.org.uk — Positive behaviour support policy (opens in a new tab)
  3. cqc.org.uk — Restraint policy (opens in a new tab)
  4. cqc.org.uk — Cqc regulate autism and adhd diagnostic assessments (opens in a new tab)

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Related guidance and next steps

Content version: . Named expert review remains pending for public launch.

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