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 For those of you that are new to the world of social care, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are the regulators of services that ensure providers are delivering a high quality service in line with the Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs) safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

CQC have the powers to take enforcement action where providers are in breach of the regulations and can enforce the closure of an organisation if this is deemed appropriate.

The CQC regulations incorporate legislation and ensure providers follow relevant guidance in regard to best practice in all aspects of the care and support they offer.

Not all activities are regulated by CQC, but the majority are and a care and support provider is required by law to register for each of the regulated activities they wish to offer.

The list of regulated activities are as follows:

•       Personal care
•       Accommodation for people who require nursing or personal care
•       Accommodation for people who require treatment for substance abuse
•       Treatment of disease, disorder or injury
•       Assessment or medical treatment for persons detained under the mental health act 1983
•       Surgical procedures
•       Diagnostic and screening procedures
•       Management of supply of blood and blood-derived products
•       Transport services, triage and medical advice provided remotely
•       Maternity and midwifery services
•       Termination of pregnancies
•       Services in slimming clinics
•       Nursing Care
•       Family planning services

When starting your care and support service, if you wish to offer any of the regulated activities, you must first achieve registration with CQC.

What must be completed to achieve CQC registration?

Provider and Registered Manager Application Forms, a Business Plan, a Statement of Purpose and a Financial Viability Statement.

You will also be required to submit further documents, namely policies and procedures, staff training information and a copy of your organisation structure.

It is important all documents contain the right information prior to submission, as if they are incorrect, CQC will return the documents to you and request changes are made, which could delay the registration process.

Once CQC are satisfied with all documents submitted, an interview will be arranged with the Registered Manager to ensure they are a ‘fit and proper’ person for the role.

How long does the registration process take?

This will be dependant on the quality of the documents you submit for consideration. CQC estimate this process may take up to 16 weeks, however, due to the shortage of care and support providers at the current time, which is resulting in delayed hospital discharge, in some cases this process is happening within a few weeks.

Once you are registered, CQC will expect you to operate at a high standard, at all times. They will usually inspect you within the first 12 months to ensure this is the case. 

If you would like support with ongoing compliance, please get in contact.