The SAF Sprint 6 Benefits
The SAF Sprint – 6 Benefits of Focused Action in 30 Days
Have you ever felt that creeping sense of “Am I missing something?” when it comes to CQC’s new Single Assessment Framework?
You’re running a good service. You care and Your team are doing their best but when you look at the new inspection approach, the ongoing evidence gathering, the quality statements, the “show us, don’t just tell us” expectation it’s easy to feel a bit… wobbly.
Well, that’s exactly why I created the SAF Sprint — a simple, focused way to cut through the overwhelm and help improve your inspection preparation approach and make sure your service isn’t just doing good work but is fully inspection ready.
In this Newsletter, I’ll explain what the SAF Sprint is, why it works, and how you can use it to feel more confident and prepared — without burning yourself (or your team) out.
Now, I know as a Registered Manager, when you hear SAF, you immediately think of the CQC Single Assessment Framework and that’s exactly what we’re focusing on in the SAF Sprint but I also like to think of SAF as something else Simple, Achievable, and Focused because that’s the key to actually making progress instead of feeling overwhelmed.
So, today, I’m going to walk you through:
✅ Why a 30-day SAF Sprint is a game-changer
✅ The 6 benefits of tackling SAF in short, focused bursts
✅ How to use 3 key “We Statements” to guide your focus
✅ And… I’ve got a special workbook to help you take action! You can grab it from the show notes.
WHAT IS A SAF SPRINT?
Okay, let’s be honest when you look at the CQC’s Single Assessment Framework, and the 36 ‘we statements’ it can feel a bit overwhelming, There’s so much to cover and so much evidence to record that you are meeting each standard and we statement, … it’s easy to feel like you don’t know where to start.
That’s where the SAF Sprint comes in.
Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, a SAF Sprint helps you focus on key areas over 30 days giving you structure, direction, and real progress without the stress.
It’s about taking Small, Achievable, and Focused actions that actually move the needle forward.
And to make it even easier, I always recommend starting with 3 key "We Statements” from the CQC SAF—that way, you have a clear, focused roadmap instead of feeling lost in a sea of requirements.
So let’s talk about how to do that!
CHOOSING YOUR 3 “WE STATEMENTS”
The We Statements are the new guides at the heart of the CQC’s Single Assessment Framework. They’re the golden thread that connects everything—so if you’re feeling unsure about where to focus, picking three key statements is a great way to structure your sprint.
Let’s walk through an example…
1. "We have a culture that promotes safety and learning."
Why this matters: This statement is all about staff engagement, openness, and continuous improvement. If you choose this for your SAF Sprint, your focus for the next 30 days might be:
✔ Reviewing how you capture and share learning from incidents
✔ Making sure staff feel confident in raising concerns
✔ Running reflection sessions to embed a learning culture
2. "We involve people in decisions about their care and support."
Why this matters: Person-centred care is at the core of great leadership but sometimes, we don’t always have clear evidence to show this.
For the next 30 days, you might:
✔ Audit how you gather and act on resident and family feedback
✔ Review how decisions are recorded and shared
✔ Identify one way to improve involvement in everyday practice
3. "We have effective governance, management, and sustainability."
Why this matters: Governance can feel like a huge area but breaking it down makes it manageable. If this is your focus, your 30-day plan might include:
✔ Reviewing your audits and compliance tracking
✔ Setting a clear reporting structure for a key area
✔ Identifying one efficiency improvement to streamline workload
By choosing three We Statements for your SAF Sprint, you’re not just “doing compliance” for the sake of it you’re building a stronger, more focused service that actually makes a difference.
I’ve put together a SAF Sprint Workbook to help you structure your plan and you can grab it from the link
THE 6 BENEFITS OF A SAF SPRINT
So why does this 30-day approach work so well? Let’s break it down…
1. Clarity Over Chaos
You stop guessing and start focusing. By picking 3 We Statements, you know exactly what to work on instead of spreading yourself too thin.
2. Progress Without Overwhelm
Instead of trying to fix everything at once, a SAF Sprint helps you break things into small, manageable steps.
3. Motivation That Lasts
Quick wins keep you going. When you can see tangible improvements in just 30 days, it builds confidence and momentum.
4. Consistency & Stronger Habits
It’s not about one big push—it’s about creating sustainable changes that last beyond the 30 days.
5. Less Overthinking, More Doing
No more analysis paralysis. You take simple, achievable, focused action—and that’s what creates results.
6. It Creates a Ripple Effect
Once you see what’s possible in 30 days, you’ll want to apply this approach to other areas—governance, team development, even personal leadership growth!
READY TO START YOUR OWN SAF SPRINT?
So now, my challenge to you is this:
If you could focus on just THREE "We Statements" over the next 30 days, which would they be?
Think about the areas that need the most attention or the ones that will have the biggest impact. Then commit to taking focused action.
Remember, you don’t have to do this alone! I’ve put together a SAF Sprint Workbook to help you plan and track your progress you can download it right now from the show notes.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Single Assessment Framework doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. When you break it down into a structured 30-day sprint, it becomes manageable, achievable, and even motivating.
So are you in? Pick your 3 We Statements, grab the workbook, and let’s do this together.
I’d love to hear what you’re focusing on! Drop me a message on LinkedIn or share your SAF Sprint progress—I’d love to celebrate your wins with you.
