Published in Strategy on 30/01/2026
In health and social care in the UK, it is important for practitioners, commissioners and organisations to be aware and stay up to date with the policies and procedures present in the sector. The policies and procedures for social care in the UK function as critical guides that help to shape the nature of sector-wide delivery and thus safeguard the well-being of vulnerable individuals.
It is crucial that these frameworks for safe delivery of services are followed as they ensure that all parties are compliant with the legal requirements to deliver quality care and maintain a high quality of operation within the sector.
What are the Regulations in Health and Social care?
The health and social care sector has regulations in place to protect the public from the risk of harm in the administration of services. Regulation ensures that decisions are made with a focus on effectiveness and efficiency. With regulations in place, health and care professionals will need to be registered with professional regulatory bodies by law. This will not only ensure the safeguarding and protection of the public, but it also keep practitioners protected.
The primary regulatory body for health and social care in the UK is CQC (Care Quality Commission).
Health & Social Care Act 2008
The Health and Social Care Act 2008 was the legislation that established CQC as the regulating body of all health and adult care services in the UK. This Act is a singular Act of Parliament that sets out CQC’s duties and powers. It is also a significant act as it is a representation of the modernisation and integration of health and social care.
This act includes some powers of enforcement which were not previously held by any organisation prior to this.
Care Act 2014
The Health and Social Care Act 2008, followed by the 2014 regulated activities revision, established a clear framework for health and social care providers. These measures defined which services require registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), set out when providers must enter the system, and introduced standards covering consent, safeguarding, staffing, equipment, premises, and nutrition and hydration needs. Together, these measures created a foundation for consistent, safe, and accountable delivery of care.
The Care Act 2014 built upon this foundation, embedding the principle that individuals with eligible needs have the statutory right to support, regardless of local authority budgets. This requires councils to conduct thorough needs assessments, recognise personal strengths, consider personal outcomes, community network availability, and involve carers, individuals and advocates in processes. This is a rights-based framework that helped to reshape the commissioning process, placing the individual at the forefront of their care plan while also obligating councils to balance financial sustainability with needs.
The challenge at play is in the balance of rights with resources. Although legislation sets out clear duties, bringing these into operation requires precision and transparency. Tools like CareCubed enable commissioners to meet obligations with a structure, person-centred approach to care costing. This helps ensure every decision is aligned with the best practice, individual well-being, fairness, and is financially accountable.
Find out more about this legislation here.
The Mental Health Act 1983 – 2007
The Mental Health Act 1983 provides the legal framework in England and Wales for the assessment, treatment and rights of people with mental health disorders. In most cases, admission to hospital is voluntary, but the Act allows for compulsory detention (or “sectioned”) when a person is judged to be at risk of harming themselves or others. The act was amended in 2007 to broaden the definitions of what constitutes a mental disorder and update the procedures. At the time of writing (November 2025), it is now the subject of ongoing reform.
Proposed changes look to give patients more involvement in the decisions about their care, introduce treatment plans and statutory care, end the use of police or prison cells for those in crisis, and reduce inappropriate detention of those with learning disabilities. These reforms reflect a shift towards a more humane, rights-based mental health legislation while maintaining public safety safeguards.
For more information on this legislation, click here.
Social Care Policies & Procedures
There are several key policies which are common to the sector and that practitioners and organisations should be aware of. These policies and procedures each have specific purposes in ensuring safety for those in care, as well as quality of care and organisational compliance.
Delivery of Care
These are the key policies that cover the delivery of care in keeping with current legislation in the UK.
Safeguarding
UK Safeguarding policies and procedures are critical to establish health and safety measures which can protect residents and staff alike in any setting of care. Safeguarding policy can ensure that care settings prevent abuse, exploitation and neglect. These safeguarding policies also ensure that there are clear procedures in place for reporting and identifying any concerns.
Safeguarding guidance requires all staff to be trained to ensure they understand what their responsibilities are if they suspect that someone is at risk. Having safeguarding guides enforce a secure, safe, and supportive environment for residents of care.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
Health & Safety
Health and safety measures in a care setting are absolutely essential for staff and residents alike. This can include protocols that cover proper handling of hazardous substances, infection control, using equipment safely, and how to report accidents.
Care providers can ensure a safe environment and minimise accident and injury risks, wherein all staff know how to appropriately respond to emergencies.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
Managing Medication
There is a policy in place regarding the proper care and handling of medication in the health and care sector, including for the handling and provision of controlled substances. This includes effective medical storage, administration and disposal as well as the appropriate use of any medical equipment.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
Clinical Governance & Risk Assessment
The clinical governance policy is a framework which is used by NHS organisations and healthcare staff to ensure there is accountability for continuous improvements of quality of care for patients and maintaining high standards.
The clinical governance system is one that manifests an environment that enables for excellence in clinical care.
Some of the key elements of this policy include:
- Clinical audits.
- Managing risk.
- Training & education.
- Patient and carer involvement.
- Evidence-based care.
- Management and staffing.
Similarly, risk assessment in health and social care that protects staff and patients by identifying potential risks and hazards. It also helps in evaluating the likelihood and degree of severity of harm. Risk assessments can also enable the implementation of measures to reduce risk. This is essential in health and social care to be certain that vulnerable individuals are safe and receive appropriate aid.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
Infection & Fall Prevention & Control
Standard infection control measures for health and social care are the backbone of safe practice and offer protection to patients and staff alike. The measures taken as part of this policy can include:
- PPE use.
- Safe management of equipment and environment.
- Safe management of bodily fluids.
- Safe disposal of waste.
- Occupational safety & management of preventing exposure.
- Hand hygiene.
Similarly, control and prevention of falls and fractures are an important policy in maintaining health, especially for older people. The core principles of this policy include that health and care practitioners should ensure they are aware of an individual’s needs, activities to prevent falls, and how to protect people from falls. There are also actions that can assist in good practice for fall prevention, such as:
- Risk assessment.
- Balance and strength-building exercises.
- Care for severe injury.
- Care environments for high-risk.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
Discharge Planning
The UK policy on discharge planning was last updated in January 2024 and has been updated to incorporate how practitioners and local authorities should agree on the discharge models to meet needs locally and maintain effectiveness and affordability within budgets for both parties. Details have been added regarding the duty of co-operation for the NHS and Local Authorities in regard to discharge models that meet local needs effectively. This update also includes details regarding the involvement of families and carers, as well as guidance on care transfer hub good practice. This guidance was not previously available.
This policy was also updated to involve families and carers in discharge decisions. Furthermore, this policy also outlines more specific information on the use of care transfer hubs managing discharges and how their use should be maintained in line with good practice.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
The Social Workers Regulations 2018
The Social Workers Regulations, 2018, created Social Work England as the new regulator for social workers, replacing the Health and Care Professions Council. This regulatory body sets rules for registration, education approval, and fitness-to-practice. Later amendments were made (notably in 2022) that added the emergency temporary registration powers, clarified requirements regarding eligibility, strengthened duties around transparency, and updated disciplinary procedures to enhance the continuity and resilience of this legislation in times of crisis.
The most transformative impact of this legislation was the inception of Social Work England as a regulatory body with specific powers that were tailored to the sector’s needs.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
Maintenance & Compliance
These are the key policies that cover the compliance & maintenance for care settings in keeping with current legislation in the UK.
Data Protection
Policies around data protection and confidentiality are in place to be compliant in line with laws such as GDPR. Data protection laws such as GDPR are in place to safeguard the personal data of patients and residents. This means that all patients’ health and care data is handled securely and will continue to be in line with the regulations set in place.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
Record Keeping
The UK policy in health and social care around keeping records ties in with data protection. Good practice in record keeping is a critical element to providing safe, high-quality care for those who need it. In health and social care, good practice record keeping can help in promoting care continuity, prioritise intervention, help practitioners respond faster to patient needs, and improves transparency and accountability, and more.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
Recruitment & Training
Adequate recruitment and training policies and procedures are in place as part of the operations policies that ensure the day-to-day functioning of the care facility is efficient. This will ensure all operations within the facility are conducted in accordance with best practice
The recruitment policy sets out the criteria and procedures that should be in place to hire new staff members. The policy outlines that new hires are qualified and that staff are competent to deliver care to a high quality. It also sets out regulations regarding the training of staff, new or already present, to ensure that staff knowledge is kept up to date and in line with legislation around health and safety.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
Fire Safety
Fire safety policy is an important policy that covers a wide range of sectors; however, in health and social care settings, it is important to tailor the safety measures to any environment.
Most fires are preventable with the right precautions, and good fire safety training can help to protect property and lives. Examples of fire safety regulations in place in most health and social care settings include having fire exits kept clear, with escape routes marked clearly and free from obstructions. In care settings where some patients may need assistance in the event of a fire, staff should be trained on how to protect themselves and the people in care properly.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
Communications
The health and social care communications policy overviews the exchange of information within health and social care environments. This includes ensuring that communication is respectful and effective between professionals and with people receiving care.
This policy includes standards for communication, such as always being polite and considerate, always listening to carers and individuals receiving care, taking account of needs, as well as giving carers and service users the information they need or want in a way they can comprehend. Practitioners should ensure all practicable steps are taken to meet communication and language requirements, such as the use of translators or interpreters, and all forms of communication should be used responsibly when communicating with carers or service users.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
Rights & Consent
These are the key policies that cover the rights and consent in care environments in keeping with current legislation in the UK.
Equality & Diversity
Equality and diversity policies are critical to promoting fairness, inclusion and respect across all of society. However, in health and social care, complying with this policy ensures that everyone has access to the same high-quality services. This means that everyone in a health and social care setting should not experience discrimination.
Diversity policies recognise that people come from different backgrounds and have different experiences. By adhering to equality and diversity policy in a health and social care setting, practitioners can ensure that patients are in an environment where they feel respected and understood.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
Complaints
Complaints policy in health and social care recognises that all complaints should be acknowledged regardless of whether the complaint is verbal or written. Similarly, any compliant should not be discriminated against, nor should it be victimised. Further to this, treatment and care should not be impacted if an individual makes a complaint.
Consent & Capacity
The consent and capacity policy (Regulation 11) requires that treatment and care of people to only be provided with relevant consent. To wit, when a person is asked for their consent, the information about the treatment must be provided in a way that they can understand. Further to this, the Mental Capacity Act highlights how this consent should be obtained. This provides the principles that a person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established otherwise. Additionally, a person should not be treated as unable to make a decision unless all practicable steps to do so have been made without result. Should a person be considered to lack the capacity to provide consent, the relevant people should be consulted about what would be in the best interests of the individual at hand.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
Mental Capacity Act Compliance
The Mental Capacity Act compliance is a policy in reference to staying compliant with the 1983 Mental Health Act legal framework. This outlines the guidelines for assessment, treatment and the legal rights of those with mental health conditions.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
Restraint & Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
This policy, also known as DoLS, is a legal protection policy within the Mental Capacity Act of 2005 in England and Wales. This policy covers the rights of those who cannot consent to their own care arrangements, such as in the case of those in a care home or hospital. It ensures their protection if their arrangements were to deprive them of their liberties.
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) under the Mental Capacity Act allow for restrictions and restraints that amount to a deprivation of liberty to be used in care homes and hospitals, only if they are in the best interests of the individual. To do so, a care home or hospital must first request standard authorisation from their LA (Local Authority).
DoLS has been replaced by Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) to create a more streamlined and person-centred system in care planning. Unlike DoLS, which only applies to adults in care homes and hospitals, LPS covers all individuals aged 16 and over across a wider variety of settings, requires fewer assessments and includes the explicit consultation duties that ensure a better reflection upon the person’s circumstances and wishes.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
Health and Social Care procurement
The Local Government Association (LGA) have developed a national Procurement Strategy for Social Care services, and the range of tools that can be used by local authorities. This reflects the intent of the 2014 Care Act, the 2014 Children and Families Act, and the Integrated Commissioning for Better Outcomes.
Learn more about the current legislation Here.
How CareCubed Can Help You
When someone enters care, a plan needs to be built around their needs, outcomes and rights. The Care Act 2014 requires councils to deliver person-centred assessments, promote well-being and independence, apply consistent eligibility criteria, and balance entitlement to financial sustainability.
CareCubed helps to operationalise these factors by mapping needs against national benchmarked data, which ensures fair and transparent funding through a shared model for providers and commissioners. CareCubed’s functionality supports care planning, data-driven pricing and reviews, which helps councils to manage their budgets responsibly and maintain compliance at the same time. In practice, CareCubed strengthens the link between delivery and legislation to support person-centred care equitably with long-term sustainability.
Sherif Attia the Director of Delivery & Design at iESE stated:
“CareCubed starts from the individual’s perspective. It records needs in their own words, ‘I need support to achieve this goal’, ensuring care planning is human and person-centred. It also links needs to outcomes, so if someone is aiming to improve or recover, treatments can be added, tracked and reviewed in line with costing and policy requirements. This means councils can plan person-centred, outcome-focused support and calculate cost at the same time. Many councils use it as their primary care planning tool that combines person-centred care planning, compliance, and cost management in one place.”
Although CareCubed is not a policy tool, it can help organisations to ensure they stay in alignment with current policies and key Care Act principles. It can serve as an auditable record of all relevant information in one place, whilst demonstrating that care planning has been person-centred and the authority has considered both the individual needs and the fair cost of care.
