Summary
This article shares a real-world example (anonymised) of a provider who faced a Notice of Decision and used legal support and practical improvements to stop enforcement and continue operating successfully.
Some of the most useful lessons come from real cases — especially ones where things went well.
Here’s an anonymised example of a provider who received a Notice of Proposal, responded quickly and effectively, and avoided closure.
The Situation
The provider contacted us shortly after a difficult inspection. They felt uneasy about the inspection and contacted us right away. We assisted them with a legal and evidential review.
Not long after, they received a Notice of Proposal to remove the location from their registration — effectively a move to close that branch of the service.
As Lucy Bowker recalls: “They came to me when the inspection went badly and said, ‘Look, we know it’s gone really badly. We think there might be some enforcement action. Can you just take a look at everything?’”
The Response
Because we were already involved, we were able to respond when the notice was received. We worked closely with the provider’s leadership and with a consultant to:
- Identify areas of weakness
- Implement practical improvement
- Prepare detailed, evidence-based representations
“The provider had made sufficient improvements,” Lucy explains. “They’d worked with a consultant to make those improvements, and the service overall was doing really, really well.”
The focus was on real, demonstrable change — not promises. We helped gather documents, structure the response, and put forward a clear case.
The Outcome
After receiving the representations, the regulator issued a Notice of Decision to implement the proposal. We assisted the Provider to submit a robust appeal to the Tribunal. CQC then requested that we pause the Tribunal proceedings while they reinspected the service.
That new inspection showed the improvements in action. The service had addressed the concerns fully. As a result, the enforcement was dropped.
“The CQC came out and reinspected and were happy with everything… and allowed the appeal. So they just dropped it,” Lucy says.
The provider kept their registration, the location stayed open, and the team regained confidence.
Why It Worked
- Early engagement — The provider got advice before the notice even arrived.
- Honest reflection — They acknowledged weaknesses and acted quickly.
- Collaboration — Legal and consultancy support worked hand in hand.
- Evidence over reassurance — The response was based on facts, not intentions.
No two cases are the same. But this one shows that it is possible to turn things around — even when closure is on the table.
“If you act early and do the work, closure isn’t inevitable when you receive a notice of proposal or decision to remove a location or close a service.” says Lucy. “You’ve got a chance — but you’ve got to take it seriously from day one.”
About the Author
Associate
Tel: 01483 451 900
Email: Lucy@gordonsols.co.uk