CQC Warning Notice, Notice of Decision (NOD) & Special Measures Support 

Facing a CQC Warning Notice, Notice of Decision (NOD), or entry into CQC Special Measures?

Don’t go it alone. Delphi’s former CQC inspectors and operational leaders deliver rapid, evidence-based turnaround to protect your registration, stabilise services, and rebuild reputation. 

Regain Compliance & Control with Expert CQC Enforcement Support 

Whether your service has received a CQC Notice of Decision (NOD), been issued with a CQC Warning Notice, or entered Special Measures, we provide urgent, structured support. Our consultants specialise in: 

• Service turnaround planning 
• Interim leadership placement 
• Mock CQC inspections 
• Evidence-backed Factual Accuracy submissions 
• Trusted legal referrals for enforcement appeals

What Is a CQC Notice of Decision (NOD)? 

A Notice of Decision (NOD) is a formal enforcement action from the Care Quality Commission. It confirms the regulator’s decision to: 

• Suspend a provider’s registration 
• Impose urgent conditions
• Remove one or more service locations 
• Cancel a provider’s registration entirely 

A NOD usually follows a Notice of Proposal (NOP). Providers have 28 days to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Care Standards). Delphi helps you prepare the evidence and compliance improvements needed to defend your service. 

How to Respond to a CQC Warning Notice 

A CQC Warning Notice signals serious concerns about your service. While it cannot be appealed at Tribunal, it can be challenged through the CQC Factual Accuracy process before the inspection report is finalised. 

We support providers to: 

• Submit structured, evidence-based Factual Accuracy submissions
• Correct errors or omissions in inspection findings
• Provide supplementary compliance documentation

Our interventions have helped providers get CQC Warning Notices withdrawn or revised before publication. 

Inadequate Ratings & CQC Special Measures: What Happens Next? 

An Inadequate rating in any domain (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-led) may trigger entry into CQC Special Measures, leading to: 

• More frequent inspections 
• Enforcement notices (Requirement → Warning → NOP → NOD) 
• Commissioner and local authority scrutiny 
• Loss of staff and family confidence
• Risk to contracts and reputation 

Delphi focuses on urgent risk reduction and visible improvement to help you exit Special Measures quickly and with evidence. 

Our Proven Turnaround Model for NODs, Warning Notices & Special Measures 

1. Root-Cause Analysis – deep dive into inspection reports, staff concerns, governance and records 
2. Compliance Mapping – compare against Fundamental Standards and regulations 
3. Urgent Risk Mitigation – address issues flagged in enforcement notices or draft reports 
4. SMART Action Planning – tailored compliance plan with clear owners and timelines 
5. Leadership Stabilisation – interim managers placed quickly if needed 
6. Mock CQC Inspections – test readiness before re-inspection 
7. Evidence Documentation – create audit trails and governance reports CQC expects 

CQC Enforcement Pathway: From Warning Notice to NOD 

The CQC typically escalates enforcement in stages: 
Requirement Notice → Warning Notice → Notice of Proposal → Notice of Decision (NOD). 

If a NOD is not appealed within 28 days, enforcement takes effect. Delphi helps you act at the right stage with the right evidence and urgency. 

Who We Support 

We work with providers across England, including: 

• Residential and nursing homes 
• Supported living and domiciliary care 
• Independent healthcare clinics 
• Mental health and substance misuse services 

From single-site operators to national groups, our support is tailored to your circumstances. 

Legal Support for CQC NOD & Enforcement Appeals 

If you’ve received a Notice of Decision or plan to appeal a Notice of Proposal, fast legal help is vital. We work with a trusted network of CQC-specialist solicitors who can: 

• Prepare Tribunal submissions
• Challenge flawed inspections
• Represent you at hearings
• Negotiate with the CQC

Our role: prepare the operational, evidential, and governance support your legal team needs to defend your registration. 

Why Choose Delphi Care Solutions?

• Former CQC inspectors and senior operators on our team
• Proven track record of turnaround within months
• Trusted by local authorities, NHS commissioners, and private providers
• Structured, evidence-based approach to compliance recovery

“Without Delphi’s turnaround plan and interim manager, we would have lost our registration. We’re now rated Good and back on track.” 
— Residential Care Provider, South East 

FAQs: CQC Warning Notices, Notices of Decision & Special Measures 

What does a CQC Warning Notice mean? 
It’s a formal notice requiring urgent improvement. It cannot be appealed at Tribunal but can be challenged via Factual Accuracy before the report is final. 

What is the difference between a Notice of Proposal and a Notice of Decision (NOD)? 
A Notice of Proposal (NOP) sets out the CQC’s intended action. A Notice of Decision (NOD) confirms the action will take effect unless appealed within 28 days. 

What happens in CQC Special Measures? 
The service is monitored closely, inspected more often, and at risk of enforcement or registration loss if improvements aren’t made. 

Get Urgent Support with Your CQC Case

Don’t wait for enforcement to escalate. 
📞 Call our expert team now | 📝 Book your free, confidential consultation 

Delphi Care Solutions – Supporting providers to deliver the highest standard of care.