CQC readiness check

What the check covers

Each question comes from something CQC has said it is changing, or from what inspectors praised or criticised in State of Care 2025/26. Together they cover all five of CQC's key questions: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

1. 01Records ready to share (Well-led). For some long-standing good services, CQC plans a lighter check that includes a targeted review of records.
2. 02Proof of who turned up (Safe). Inspectors found rotas that didn't match who really worked.
3. 03Only trained staff booked (Safe). An outstanding homecare agency CQC praised made its rota check training before anyone was booked.
4. 04Medication competency (Safe). CQC found a new carer giving medicine before anyone had checked they could do it safely.
5. 05DoLS dates and conditions (Effective). A Supreme Court ruling changed the legal test for deprivation of liberty in June 2026.
6. 06Regular checks with actions (Well-led). Well-led is the key question services most often fall short on, especially care homes.
7. 07Dementia training (Effective). CQC plans statutory dementia guidance that every registered provider will have to follow.
8. 08The same familiar faces (Caring). One family told CQC: “You never knew who was coming”.
9. 09Complaints and incidents handled (Responsive). CQC rates how well you respond, as well as how safe you are.
10. 10DBS, right to work and training (Safe). In services rated inadequate, inspectors found staff working without completed DBS checks.

For the full picture (what State of Care found, what is changing and when, and what to do in each type of service) read the guide to CQC changes. This check is general information, not a CQC assessment, and it does not predict a rating.