Care Intelligence Revolution

Health Connect

Real-life stories in health and social care, discussions on the ground about how technology in health and social care is impacting care workers’ lives and daily jobs, all about person-centred care and how to transform your care to achieve Outstanding.

  1. APR 28

    From Inspector to Ally: Inside the CQC with Eddie Hoult

    What if the person helping you prepare for your next CQC inspection had actually been the inspector? In this episode of the Care Intelligence Revolution, Eddie Hoult, Founder of UpEd Limited Adult Social Care Support Consultancy, whose career spans every level of the sector, from frontline support worker at 13, to registered manager, regional operational lead, head of compliance, and CQC adult social care inspector. Eddie brings a rare 360-degree perspective to the table, cutting through the myths, fears, and misconceptions that surround CQC inspections and replacing them with clarity, confidence, and practical guidance. In this episode, Tanya speaks with Eddie Hoult, Founder of UpEd Limited Adult Social Care Support Consultancy, about what it truly means to provide outstanding, person-centred care and how to feel confident when the regulator comes knocking. Eddie's career is unlike most in the sector. She started as a support worker at 13 in a Cotswolds care home, eventually working her way through registered manager, regional operational lead, head of compliance, and spending years as a CQC adult social care inspector before founding UpEd Limited in 2021. That breadth of experience gives her a perspective most consultants simply don't have, and in this conversation she shares it generously. The episode covers the biggest myths care providers hold about CQC inspections, why the core regulations haven't fundamentally changed despite recent methodological upheaval, and how providers can feel genuinely confident rather than fearful when inspection day arrives. Eddie is clear that outstanding care isn't about a gleaming building or a perfect policy bundle. It's about what's actually happening on the floor, every single day. There's also a practical breakdown of what providers can do if they disagree with an inspection report, covering factual accuracy challenges, rating reviews, and conduct complaints as three entirely separate processes. And for anyone feeling overwhelmed, Eddie offers straightforward advice on finding the right consultant, using free resources wisely, and reaching out to peers who've recently been through the process. Eddie is also an expert contributor to Open Doc, a free platform offering community-validated care policies for providers of all sizes. She explains why even the best policy bundle needs to be personalised, engaged with, and brought to life on the floor before it means anything. "Every day is a CQC day. You're not doing it for CQC, you're doing it for the person receiving care and support." Connect with Eddie Hoult: Founder, UpEd Limited Adult Social Care Support Consultancy. Find Eddie on LinkedIn, where she responds to messages and is happy to offer guidance. You can also find her expert-reviewed policies on OpenDoc. Resources mentioned: Skills for Care, The Outstanding Society, the CQC website (factual accuracy and rating review guidance), and OpenDoc - the free policy library The Care Intelligence Revolution is a podcast for health and social care professionals who want practical insight, honest conversation, and the tools to raise standards for the people they support.

    1h 2m
  2. JAN 6

    Making Policies Human: From Compliance to Care Excellence ft Elisha Kemp

    Policies and procedures are meant to keep people safe but for many frontline care teams they feel confusing, overwhelming, and disconnected from real-world care. In this episode of Care Intelligence, Tanya is joined by Elisha Kemp, Founder of EK Psychotherapies and one of the first expert contributors to OpenDoc, to unpack what policies really feel like on the ground and how we can do better. With over 14 years’ experience in mental health, Elisha has worked across inpatient wards, community services, and CAMHS, before going on to build a fast-growing psychotherapy service rooted in ethics, accessibility, and human-centred care. She brings a rare combination of frontline insight, leadership experience, and lived experience as a neurodivergent professional. Together, Tanya and Elisha explore: Why so many care policies become “tick-box exercises” instead of practical tools The reality of trying to use policies under pressure on the frontline How traditional policy formats unintentionally exclude neurodivergent staff Why accessibility, real-world examples, and lived experience matter in governance How OpenDoc is helping move policies beyond compliance and towards care excellence What collaboration looks like when the care community builds solutions together This conversation is honest, human, and hopeful. It is a reminder that policies do not have to be something we endure. They can be something that genuinely supports care teams to do their best work. 🔑 Key Takeaways Policies should act as guardrails for quality care, not barriers to good practice Frontline teams need policies that are clear, accessible, and rooted in real experience Neurodiversity must be considered in how information is written and shared The future of care governance is collaborative, expert-led, and community-driven. 🚀 What to Do Next Explore OpenDoc and see how expert-driven policies can support your organisation If you are a care leader or frontline professional, get involved and contribute your expertise Share this episode with someone who has ever struggled with policies at work 👤 About the Guest Elisha Kemp is a CBT Therapist, Clinical Supervisor, and Founder of EK Psychotherapies. With a background spanning inpatient mental health, CAMHS, community services, and corporate wellbeing, Elisha is a passionate advocate for accessible care, neurodiversity, and turning governance into something that works for real people.

    31 min
  3. 11/19/2025

    What do CQC actually look for in policies and procedures? with Julie Garrity.

    In this episode, Devan speaks with Julie Garrity, Former CQC Inspector, Registered Manager, and Regulatory Investigator with more than 20 years of frontline and regulatory experience. Julie breaks down what the CQC actually looks for when reviewing policies and procedures—and why many providers still fall short even when “the paperwork is done.” Whether you’re a Registered Manager, Clinical Lead, or care provider trying to strengthen governance, this conversation cuts through the noise and gives you real clarity on what good looks like. What We Cover • What CQC inspectors really look for in policies Julie explains how inspectors assess whether policies genuinely reflect day-to-day practice—not just what’s written. • Why providers struggle with governance Devan and Julie explore common pitfalls: templated policies, outdated documents, complex language, and policies that staff don’t understand or use. • The root causes of poor compliance From siloed information to fear-based compliance cultures, Julie shares real examples of what leads to “Requires Improvement.” • How to turn policies into living, useful tools Devan reflects on leading care groups with 18 Outstanding ratings, and how focusing on people and outcomes builds natural compliance. • Introducing OpenDoc Devan reveals why Health Connect created OpenDoc—a collaborative, real-world policy ecosystem designed to fix static governance and support shared learning. Julie shares why this type of innovation aligns well with what CQC want to see. • Practical takeaways for care leaders Julie’s top tips for compliance-ready policies: Keep them real and usable Link them to lived examples Review them regularly—not reactively Why Listen? If you’ve ever said, “We have the policies—why did we still fail?”, this episode gives the answers. Julie brings a rare perspective from inside the regulator, and Devan connects it to real-world practice and innovation. Resources & Next Steps Explore OpenDoc via Health Connect to turn your policies into living, collaborative tools that support quality care and continuous improvement.

    39 min

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Real-life stories in health and social care, discussions on the ground about how technology in health and social care is impacting care workers’ lives and daily jobs, all about person-centred care and how to transform your care to achieve Outstanding.