AT the time the problems at The Briars came to light in September 2008 the Commission for Social Care Inspection regulated all care homes.

However, since April 2009 that responsibility has fallen under the Care Quality Commission (CQC). It says it has greater enforcement powers and can carry out more unannounced visits more often.

All care homes will need to be registered under the CQC’s new system by October 1 and must show they meet essential standards of quality and safety.

The CQC says that it has a “much more sophisticated” way of gathering information about care homes than ever before, collecting information from residents themselves, their relatives and carers.

The Commission also says it actively seeks out information from other health and social care professionals who visit the care homes as well as local councils.

It has the power to carry out “largely unannounced” visits from a maximum of every three months to a minimum of every two years. Poor performers will be inspected more frequently than better performing establishments.

The CQC has the power to issue statutory warning notices, fines, suspension or cancellation of a care home’s registration.

The fallout from the Briars scandal has also contributed to Southampton City Council setting up a new ‘Safeguarding in Provider Services Team’ to manage abuse and neglect allegations at care homes.

The team of social workers, nurses, occupational therapists and other health professionals that works closely with the police and the CQC.