Most care services do not fail suddenly.

They drift.

Small compromises become routine. Governance systems lose visibility. Leadership becomes distanced from daily care. Over time, standards decline without anyone noticing the exact moment it began.

In Stopping the Drift, care quality and governance consultant Mariana Costea introduces the concept of Operational Driftand explains why services often lose control gradually rather than through one major failure.

Drawing on years of experience supporting care services through improvement, recovery and regulatory scrutiny, this practical leadership guide helps leaders recognise early warning signs before problems become embedded within the culture of a service.

Inside this book you will discover:

• The Operational Drift Model

• Drift Control Leadership

• The CARE Framework (Culture, Accountability, Risk Awareness and Effective Governance)

• The Drift Diagnostic Tool

• The Drift Warning Dashboard

• Practical approaches to strengthening leadership visibility, governance and accountability

Written for care home managers, deputy managers, providers, operations directors, quality leads and governance professionals, this book offers a clear framework for maintaining service stability before crisis develops.

If you are responsible for protecting quality, safety and culture within a care service, this book will help you see the warning signs earlier and respond with confidence.

Because good care rarely fails suddenly.

It drifts.

And the strongest leaders recognise drift before everyone else.