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    Your CQC confidence checklist – simple steps that work!

    Staying inspection-ready isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about giving your team and the people you support the best care, every day.

    ✅ Keep care plans updated and personalised
    ✅ Ensure MAR charts & risk assessments are complete and accessible
    ✅ Record incidents and actions clearly
    ✅ Make sure training records & staff supervision logs are up to date
    ✅ Involve your team in regular quality checks and audits

    Even if you’ve been through inspections before, every visit is different. The CQC may focus on new areas, follow up on previous actions, or ask your team questions in more detail than last time. Staying prepared isn’t about starting from scratch — it’s about keeping your standards high, staying up to date with any changes in regulation, and making sure your team feels confident no matter what the inspectors want to explore.

    Preparation is key — and when CQC arrives, you’ll feel ready rather than rushed.

    True or False?

    CQC inspections are only about checking compliance with regulations.

    ✅ True
    ❌ False

    True or False?

    CQC inspections are only about checking compliance with regulations.

    ✅ True
    ❌ False

    📌 Why staying inspection ready matters

    CQC inspections aren’t just about compliance — they’re about showing the quality of care you deliver every single day. Understanding their focus, inspection methods and what they value most means you’re never left second-guessing what they’ll be looking for.

    ❓What to expect during a CQC inspection

    The five key questions. Every CQC inspection is based on the same five key questions:

    • Safe – Are people protected from abuse and avoidable harm?
    • Effective – Is care, treatment and support achieving good outcomes?
    • Caring – Do staff involve and treat people with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect?
    • Responsive – Are services organised so they meet people’s needs?

    • Well-led – Is the leadership, management and governance of the service assuring high-quality care? (Source: CQC – The five key questions we ask)

    🔍 How they'll inspect

    Be prepared for a combination of:

    • Observing care in action.
    • Speaking with service users, families, and staff.
    • Reviewing policies, records, and procedures.
    • Checking the safety, cleanliness, and suitability of your environment.
    • Using surveys or feedback cards to gather more views. (Source: CQC – How we inspect)

    ✅ Before and after the visit

    Some inspections are announced, others aren’t. The CQC may request key documents before arriving and will often share initial feedback at the end of the visit. This is your chance to clarify any points and understand what comes next.

    🖥️ Areas of focus

    Inspectors often ask staff about:

    • How safeguarding concerns are reported and managed.
    • How medication errors are handled and prevented.
    • How care is tailored to individuals’ needs and preferences.
    • How leaders promote a culture of learning and improvement.

    How to make inspection day feel like just another day!

    Outstanding services treat inspection preparation as an ongoing process, not a one-off scramble. Keep a well-organised “evidence folder” with:

    • Recent audits
    • Staff training records
    • Positive feedback from service users and families
    • Examples of improvements you’ve made

    When everything is kept up to date, an inspection feels like an opportunity to showcase your great work — not a disruption.

    Final tip: Stay informed

    Regulations and inspection methods evolve. Make a habit of checking the Care Quality Commission website for the latest updates, guidance and changes. The more you know about how the CQC operates, the more confident you and your team will feel on inspection day.

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