Care Home CQC Inspection Checklist™
Download a free inspection readiness checklist designed to help UK Care Home Managers review documentation, governance and operational evidence before a CQC inspection.
⬇️ Download Free ChecklistChecklist Contents
What the Checklist Covers
Eight inspection-ready modules aligned to the CQC Single Assessment Framework Quality Statements.
Governance & Leadership
Regulation 17 governance frameworks, board oversight, quality assurance cycles, risk registers and registered manager operational controls.
Workforce & Recruitment
Schedule 3 DBS checks, employment gap verification, mandatory training matrices, supervision records and agency staffing governance.
Resident Care
Person-centred care plans, consent documentation, dignity and privacy records, complaints management and service user engagement evidence.
Medication Management
eMAR audit trails, controlled drugs registers, the 6 Rights of administration, PRN protocols and medication error reporting logs.
Health & Safety
HASAWA risk assessments, Legionella water safety logs, COSHH registers, RIDDOR incident records and medical device maintenance schedules.
Fire Safety
Fire risk assessment currency, weekly alarm test logs, Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs), fire drill records and compartmentation audits.
Information Governance
UK GDPR Article 30 Records of Processing Activities (RoPA), data breach logs, Caldicott Principles compliance and eCMS access audit trails.
Final Inspection Readiness Review
A consolidated pre-inspection sign-off checklist covering all five CQC key questions: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-Led.
Target Audience
Who Is It For?
Designed for senior leaders and quality professionals in UK CQC-regulated care settings.
Registered Managers
Care Providers
Quality Managers
Operations Directors
Clinical Leads
New Care Home Providers
SOP Templates
Close Your Inspection Gaps
Once you’ve identified gaps with the checklist, these enterprise SOP templates help you close them before the inspector arrives.
Quality, Governance & Clinical Leadership SOP Bundle
10 SOPs covering governance, auditing, CQC notifications, duty of candour and risk management. Save 40%.
View Bundle
50-SOP Master Suite — Complete Care Home QMS
All 50 care home SOPs across every CQC-regulated domain. 250+ appendices. Save 60%.
View Master Suite
Internal Auditing, Inspection Readiness & CAPA SOP
Mock CQC inspection protocols, internal audit schedules and Corrective Action Plans aligned to the Single Assessment Framework.
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Quality Assurance, Governance & CQC Compliance SOP
Master quality framework, monthly audit cycles and board reporting aligned to CQC Regulation 17 Good Governance.
View SOP
Enterprise Risk Management & Risk Register Control SOP
5x5 risk scoring matrices, mitigation action plans and Board risk reviews for CQC Well-Led compliance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the CQC Inspection Checklist™.
What is the Care Home CQC Inspection Checklist™?
The Care Home CQC Inspection Checklist™ is a free, practical inspection readiness checklist designed to help UK Registered Managers and care providers review their documentation, governance evidence and operational systems before a CQC inspection. It is aligned to the CQC Single Assessment Framework and covers all five key questions: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-Led.
Who should use it?
The checklist is designed for Registered Managers, Registered Providers, Quality Managers, Operations Directors, Clinical Leads and new care home providers preparing for their first CQC inspection. It is suitable for residential care homes, nursing homes, dementia units and adult social care services regulated by CQC in England.
How often should it be completed?
We recommend completing the checklist at least quarterly as part of your internal audit cycle, and again in the weeks immediately before a scheduled or anticipated CQC inspection. Regular completion helps identify documentation gaps before they become inspection findings.
Is it suitable for all UK care homes?
Yes. The checklist is designed for CQC-regulated residential care homes, nursing homes, dementia units and adult social care services in England. It is aligned to the CQC Single Assessment Framework and is suitable for services of all sizes, from single-site care homes to multi-site care groups.
Is it free?
Yes, completely free. There is no charge, no subscription and no obligation. Simply click the Download button above to access the checklist instantly as a PDF.
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