CQC Inspection Checklist: How to Prepare for a Successful Assessment

When it comes to CQC inspections, it’s completely understandable to feel anxious or overwhelmed. CQC’s new Single Assessment Framework has put a lot of care providers on edge, concerned for their first inspection under the new framework.

Whilst the inspectors are simply there to observe how your organisation operates on a daily basis and ensure that you meet the required standards of care, it can still be a quite anxiety-inducing – that’s why we are here to help.

We have created this helpful CQC inspection checklist to guide you through the process, helping you achieve your best possible rating!

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Download your free CQC Inspection Checklist.

Preparing for a CQC inspection can be a daunting task, but our comprehensive checklist makes it manageable and stress-free.

This essential guide breaks down every step you need to take to ensure your practice meets all the necessary standards. Simply sign up to our exclusive mailing list to download and print your free checklist guide.

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In this article we’ll be covering:

1. What to Expect During a CQC Inspection

2. How to Prepare Your Team

3. Practice Walkthroughs

4. How to Prepare Your Documentation

5. FAQs

What to Expect During a CQC Inspection:

CQC inspections are thorough evaluations designed to ensure the quality and safety of care provided by your organisation. Here’s what you can expect:

• Advance Notice: Typically, the CQC will announce their visit beforehand. You will receive a notification outlining the inspection date and the areas of focus. However, they may also conduct unannounced inspections, especially if there are concerns about your service.

• Inspection Length: On average, CQC inspections last two days but can be shorter or longer depending on the size and complexity of your organisation. The duration is influenced by the number of service users, the variety of services provided, and the locations being inspected.

• Single Inspector or Team: Inspections may be carried out by a single CQC inspector or a team. The team often includes specialists with experience relevant to your service, such as healthcare professionals or experts by experience (individuals who have used similar services).

• Feedback and Report: Following the inspection, you will receive feedback from the inspectors. This will be followed by a detailed report outlining their findings, ratings, and any required actions for improvement.

So now you know what to expect, let’s see how you can prepare your service as best as possible.

How to Prepare Your Staff:

1. Educate staff on CQC standards: Ensure that all staff are familiar with the CQC 5 Standards and Fundamental Standards.

2. Training on policies and procedures: Make sure staff understand and can locate key policies, such as safeguarding, whistleblowing, confidentiality, complaints, and medicines administration.

3. Role-specific knowledge: Ensure staff know their job descriptions, responsibilities, and have undergone necessary checks (e.g., CRB/DBS).

4. Prepare for common questions: Conduct practice runs for questions inspectors may ask, such as:

• How do you see your role here?

• What do you like/dislike about your job?

• Do you feel well supported in your role?

• What are the ‘out of hours’ arrangements here?

• How do you treat people with dignity and respect?

• What is person centred care and how do you provider it?

• Do you feel comfortable to ‘whistle blow’ if needed? 

Practice Walkthroughs:

1. Clean service: Ensure the entire practice is clean, tidy and decluttered. Make sure to focus on the waiting areas and restrooms especially. You might even want someone in your team to act as an inspector themselves, checking for dust and hidden dirt.

2. Vital safety checks: This can include verifying the contents of doctor’s bags, ensuring medical supplies cupboard are locked, or first aid provisions are well-stocked.

3. Accessibility: Conduct accessibility checks throughout, ensuring the service is accessible via ramps, appropriate signage etc. Remember to put yourself in the shoes of the inspector here, and look at your service through a more fault-finding lens.

4. Feedback mechanisms: Reflect on whether or not you are clearly making it easy for residents or staff to provide feedback, and is this clear to the inspector too?

5. Stock control: Regularly check and dispose of expired items, and if you haven’t already, implement an effective stock management system.

6. Practice questions: Take some time to run through some basic practice questions with your staff. For some, this may be their first time being involved with a CQC inspection, so it is always best to over prepare!

For a more detailed breakdown of every step to take, download our full FREE CQC Inspection Prep Checklist.

How to Prepare Your Documentation:

Care Documentation:

1. Organised and accessible records: Ensure care plans and risk assessments are up-to-date and well-organised.

2. Person-centred care documentation: Reflect person-centred care approaches in all records.

3. Compile evidence of outcomes: Gather documentation showing how innovations and actions within your service have led to positive outcomes.

4. Link events to actions: Document events, actions taken, and outcomes to show continuous improvement.

Personnel Files:

1. Create a staff information pack: Provide key information in a PDF or print-out for staff to review.

2. Complete and organised records: Ensure all personnel files include necessary documentation, such as DBS checks and training records.

3. Document training and qualifications: Maintain up-to-date records of staff training and qualifications in personnel files.

By following this comprehensive checklist, you can ensure that your care service is well-prepared for a CQC inspection, demonstrating high standards of care and compliance with regulations.

• How will I know when a CQC inspection is scheduled?

  The CQC typically provides advance notice for inspections, including the date and focus areas. However, they may also conduct unannounced inspections if there are specific concerns about your service.

• What should I do to prepare for a CQC inspection?

  To prepare for a CQC inspection, ensure your documentation is in order, your staff are informed and ready, and your premises are clean and organised. Use a comprehensive checklist to cover all necessary areas, from care documentation to health and safety protocols.

• Will the CQC inspectors provide feedback during the inspection?

  Inspectors usually provide some immediate feedback at the end of their visit, followed by a detailed written report outlining their findings, ratings, and any required actions for improvement.

• How does the CQC ensure the inspection process is fair and unbiased?

  The CQC follows a standardised framework and methodology to ensure consistency and fairness in inspections. Inspectors are trained professionals who adhere to strict guidelines to maintain objectivity.

Already received a rating and looking to improve for your next CQC inspection?

Whether you received a 'Good' and aspire for 'Outstanding' or need to move from 'Requires Improvement' to 'Good,' our comprehensive guide, How To Improve Your CQC Rating, is here to help. This guide offers actionable steps and best practices tailored to elevate your service quality.

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Resources:

https://www.cqc.org.uk/about-us/how-we-do-our-job/what-we-do-inspection