What is the CQC?

The CQC stands for the Care Quality Commission, which is the independent regulatory body for the care sector in England only. They cover all aspects of health and care services from local authorities, independent care providers and NHS, amongst others, ensuring that they are compliant with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Organisations including dental practices, hospitals, care homes and education institutions that care for children and young people, must be registered with the Care Quality Commission. The CQC is then responsible for the regulation, inspection, and to ensure that organisations and businesses are upholding the standards laid out in legislation and regulations.

If an organisation fails to meet said standards, the CQC has the authority to act as an enforcement agency, demanding improvements by issuing warnings and financial penalties. If the situation still fails to improve, the CQC can force the business to close and even seek prosecution.

If your business operates in the health and care sector, then understanding the CQC and how to ensure compliance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 is vital.

Talk to a member of our Health and Safety advisory team today for, qualified, professional advice, tailored to your business.

Call today on 0808 501 6651.

Who exactly does the CQC regulate?

The CQC regulates most but not all types of care, however they are responsible for the following areas:

• Healthcare providers and services to people of all ages.
• Hospitals, ambulance services, clinics, dental and GP practices.
• Community services, mental health services and other registered locations.
• Social care services for adults in care homes (nursing or personal care), community and home-based.
• Service providers for those whose rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act.
• Health/care services for children or young people.

The focus of the CQC is on the registration and inspection of health and adult social care across England. They conduct these inspections regularly and these can be both noticed and unannounced, depending on what type of service is being inspected.

How does the CQC operate?

Any care provider that wants to provide care that falls under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, must apply for registration with the CQC. They must demonstrate via evidence that they can meet the minimum standards outlined by the Government.

Once the registration has been approved, then the CQC will monitor and inspect the care provider to ensure that the standard of their care is that of the requirements laid out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

How are CQC inspections notified?

Whether you are notified of a Care Quality Commission inspection depends solely on the type of care your organisation is involved in. Outlined below are what employers should expect from a CQC inspection, based on type of care given.

Community adult social care

Inspections with this type of care are usually notified 48 hours in advance to ensure that there will be a senior member of staff, or a member of management is available for the visit. This can also apply to supported living schemes and extra care housing, but not necessarily depending on the organisation.

Residential adult social care services

Inspections in this sector are mostly unannounced however there are certain rare occasions that can result in the CQC notifying the organisation in advance. This is typically in the case of small care homes where there may not be many residents, to ensure that they are home before commencing with the inspection.

Hospice care

The CQC typically performs inspections of inpatient hospices, unannounced. However, for community-based hospices they can announce their visit up to 48 hours in advance, to ensure there is a senior member of staff available.

What are the 5 standards the CQC use as an assessment framework?

To inspect, regulate and enforce legislation, the CQC has 5 standards, or key questions that they base their assessments on. These are:

Are they safe?

• Are those being cared for protected from abuse and other avoidable harm?

Are they effective?

• Is the care and support offered help maintain quality of life and achieve good outcomes (based on the available evidence)?

Are they caring?

• Are the staff involved in caring for people, showing kindness, compassion, dignity and respect?

Are they responsive to people's needs?

• Services meet peoples needs and are organised effectively to allow this to happen.

Are they well-led?

• Leadership, management and governance make sure the organisation is providing high-quality care, based on the needs of the individual being cared for. They also ensure that the organisation promotes an open and fair culture, as well as learning and innovation.

These are the questions that they will be asking of your organisation in relation to the care your organisation provides.

How does the CQC operate as an enforcement agency?

The CQC has the authority to act when a care service is not meeting the required standards under legislation. It can do this in the following ways:

• Issuing a warning requiring the organisation to make improvements within a specified timeframe.
• Issuing restrictions on what type of care a service can offer.
• Halting admissions to the organisations service.
• Serving a fixed penalty notice.
• Issuing suspension and/or cancellation of the services registration with the CQC.
• Prosecuting the organisation.

Much like the HSE, the CQC also publishes their results, including the results of inspections and or any enforcement action that it has undertaken. This is to ensure that the public can make an informed choice regarding any care service providers.

Need advice on a CQC inspection?

Talk to a member of our Health and Safety team today to find out how to ensure compliance under the CQC’s assessment framework.

With over 80 years of experience in working with small to medium businesses we can offer advice and solutions, specifically tailored to your organisation.

Call today on 0808 501 6651.