This document provides 10 tips for preparing for inspections by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The tips include knowing the different types of inspections, notifying the CQC of any changes, ensuring up-to-date information is available, making staff aware of what to expect, booking an appropriate room, reviewing standards inspectors will assess, doing practice walkthroughs, continuing normal services during inspections, and being prepared to address whether services are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

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2. Top 10 tips when preparing for CQC (Care Quality Commission)
inspection
Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections ensure you are providing care in accordance with CQC
standards and regulations.
So, how well prepared is your organisation for a CQC inspection?
The following tips will help you in the run up to a visit from the inspectors.

3. Top 10 tips when preparing for CQC inspection
1. Knowing different types of inspection
On the day of the inspection, you will be told which type of inspection will be carried out.
1) Responsive – in response to specific concerns
2) Themed – looking at current issues of a specific theme
3) Scheduled – Booked in advance for certain kinds of service, where the inspectors inform
you of the type of inspection to be carried out.
2. Notifying changes or incidents
You must tell CQC about certain changes, events and incidents affecting your service or its
beneficiaries.
This can be done via the Provider Portal (your online account) or by using forms, available from
https://www.cqc.org.uk/content/notifications

4. Top 10 tips when preparing for CQC inspection
3. Ensuring you have up to date information
Current and correct information demonstrates your compliance and expertise.
Some items such health and safety documents and business continuity plans will be requested on
the day of the inspection.
4. Ensuring you have the Registered Manager’s contact details
When you registered, you should have provided the Registered Manager’s contact details.
It is essential to have these to hand in case this person is not available at the start of the inspection.

5. Top 10 tips when preparing for CQC inspection
5. Making service users and staff aware of what happens during an inspection
Inspectors will talk to various staff members during their visit to collect evidence.
They will also observe care and review people's records to see how their needs are managed.
6. Booking and preparing a suitable room
The inspectors must have access to a suitable room for interviews and so forth.
7. Remembering what inspectors will be looking for
Inspectors will actually be collecting evidence of any essential standards that are not being met.
Take a close look at these standards beforehand.

6. Top 10 tips when preparing for CQC inspection
8. Having a practice walkthrough
The service manager or deputy should take responsibility to walk through all areas of your services.
Keep a checklist of these to stay on track.
9. Ensuring that you carry on with your everyday services
In order for inspectors to look at what you do, you must continue carrying out your services as
normal on the day of the inspection.
10. Bearing in mind the key five questions of the inspection for compliance
Are your services: Safe?
Effective?
Caring?
Responsive to People’s Needs?
Well-led?

7. Top 10 tips when preparing for CQC inspection
Here’s a quick summary of all the tips to make sure that your service is inspection-ready.
1. Different types of inspection
2. Notifying changes or incidents
3. Up to date information
4. Registered Manager’s contact details
5. Staff awareness of what happens during an inspection
6. Booking and preparing a suitable room
7. Remembering what inspectors will be looking for
8. A practice walkthrough
9. Carry on with your everyday services
10. The key five questions of the inspection