What is a CQC Inspection?
Are you a care provider getting ready for your first CQC inspection? Or perhaps a new carer who is unsure what to expect when CQC make their next visit? The Care Quality Commission (CQC) can appear to be quite an intimidating governing body so it is completely understandable to feel nervous about their unexpected visits. But what’s the best way to overcome that anxiety? Well let’s start by familiarising yourself with the process. In this guide we’ll be taking a closer look at exactly what are CQC inspections, and why and how they take place.
Who are the CQC?
The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Established to ensure that health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, and high-quality care, the CQC plays a crucial role in maintaining standards across the sector. The CQC regularly sends out their team of inspectors to visit, inspect and report on the quality of care delivered by care providers all across England.
What is a CQC Inspection?
A CQC inspection is a thorough evaluation conducted by the Care Quality Commission to assess whether health and social care services meet the required standards. These inspections are designed to ensure that care providers are delivering safe, effective, and high-quality care to their clients. The CQC has the authority to inspect a wide range of services, including care homes, hospitals, dental practices, and other health and social care providers. There are a few different types of CQC inspections that we will be breaking down in more detail.
5 Key Questions
The CQC inspections focus on five key questions in every inspection, making sure they focus on the things that matter to people.
Safe: You are protected from abuse and avoidable harm.
Effective: Your care, treatment and support achieves good outcomes, helps you to maintain quality of life and is based on the best available evidence.
Caring: Staff involve and treat you with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
Responsive: Services are organised so that they meet your needs.
Well-led: The leadership, management and governance of the organisation make sure it's providing high-quality care that's based around your individual needs, that it encourages learning and innovation, and that it promotes an open and fair culture.
Types of CQC Inspections
The CQC employs 3 main types of inspections to evaluate different aspects of care services. Understanding these types can help care providers better prepare for inspections.
1. Comprehensive Inspections
Comprehensive inspections are in-depth evaluations of a care service. They cover all aspects of the service, including governance, staffing, and the quality of care provided. These inspections are typically take 1-4 days to complete and provide a complete overview of the service's performance.
2. Focused Inspections
Focused inspections have a narrower scope, concentrating on specific areas of concern or recent changes within a service. For example, if there have been recent complaints about safeguarding, an inspector may be sent out to inspect and assess this particular issue.
3. Themed Inspections
Themed inspections address specific themes or widespread issues affecting multiple providers. An example of a themed inspection is those conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which focused on infection control measures across various care settings. It is important to note that these types of inspections are rather rare and only occur during unprecedented widespread events like epidemics.
For a more detailed break down of CQC inspections, read our full guide What are the different types of CQC inspections?
When Do CQC Inspect Care Homes?
CQC inspections are not conducted on a fixed schedule but are instead based on several factors to ensure that resources are allocated effectively.
Frequency Based on Rating
The frequency of inspections depends on the current rating of the service:
Outstanding: Services with outstanding ratings are inspected less frequently, typically every 4-5 years.
Good: Good services are usually inspected every 3-4 years.
Requires Improvement: These services may be inspected annually or more frequently to monitor improvements.
Inadequate: Inspections should occur within 6 months of an inadequate rating, giving the provider enough time to get their rating back up.
Unfortunately, we have found through our own research that many care providers are having to wait far longer than promised to get inspected. In May of this year, the team here at Affinity Care Advisory lodged a Freedom of Information request to the Care Quality Commission. This report revealed that over 5,500 newly registered care services are still awaiting their first inspection and 74% of all inadequate care services had still been awaiting reinspection past the 6-month deadline.
The CQC Inspection Process
Before the Inspection:
Announcement: If the inspection is announced (the CQC has the right to visit unannounced too), care providers should ensure all documentation is up-to-date and staff are informed about the inspection.
Documentation: Ensure that all records, policies, and procedures are current and easily accessible.
Staff Briefings: Inform and prepare staff about what to expect during the inspection, encouraging transparency and cooperation.
For more information on how to successfully prepare, check out our full article CQC Inspection Checklist: How to Prepare for a Successful Assessment.
During the Inspection:
Interviews: Inspectors will speak with staff, management, and sometimes service users to gather insights into the quality of care provided.
Observations: Inspectors may observe care practices, interactions, and the overall environment to assess compliance with standards.
Document Reviews: Inspectors will review records, policies, and procedures to ensure they meet CQC requirements.
Nervous about your staff interviews? Get prepared with our related article, Common Questions To Expect in Your CQC Inspection.
After the Inspection:
Reporting: Inspectors compile their findings and rate the service as outstanding, good, requires improvement, or inadequate.
Feedback: Care providers receive a report detailing the inspection outcomes and any areas needing improvement.
Appeals: If a provider disagrees with the findings, they have the right to appeal the decision.
Action Plans: For services that require improvement, the CQC will outline necessary steps to address deficiencies.
What Happens if You Fail a CQC Inspection?
Receiving a rating of "requires improvement" or "inadequate" can have significant implications for a care provider. A negative rating can damage the reputation of the organisation, affecting trust and potentially leading to a loss of service users. Additionally, the CQC may take enforcement actions, which could include issuing warning notices, imposing fines, or even suspending services. Providers with poor ratings are also subject to increased scrutiny, facing more frequent inspections and closer monitoring by the CQC.
If a care provider receives a less-than-satisfactory rating, it’s crucial to act quickly. The first step is to carefully review the CQC report to fully understand the areas that require improvement. From there, a detailed action plan should be developed, outlining the necessary steps, timelines, and responsibilities for addressing the identified pain points.
If you are interested in seeking external support, our team of CQC compliance experts are here to provide valuable guidance in making these improvements and preparing for re-inspection. From Action Plans to Interim Management, we offer swift, strategic interventions and practical solutions to stabilise your operations, ensure compliance, and protect your reputation.
In some cases where you truly believe a mistake has been made you may wish to challenge your report. For more information no how to do this, read our full guide How To Challenge a CQC Rating.
Key Takeaways
Understanding what a CQC inspection involves, the different types of inspections, and how to prepare effectively can significantly improve your chances of a positive outcome.
What’s most important is that you stay proactive, stay compliant, and continue to provide the highest quality of care to those who depend on you.
If you need further assistance or expert advice on preparing for your next CQC inspection, don’t hesitate to contact Affinity Care Advisory.
