With the Care Quality Commission (CQC) facing challenges in maintaining up-to-date inspection ratings, many providers find themselves operating without a recent assessment of their compliance. In fact, the average age of a CQC inspection report is now four years—the longest since the regulator was established in 2009.

For providers who haven’t been inspected for some time, this uncertainty presents a significant risk. Without regular external oversight, it can be difficult to know whether your service still meets the latest regulatory expectations. The CQC’s new Single Assessment Framework has introduced a fresh approach to regulation, making it more important than ever for providers to stay ahead.

So, how can you benchmark your compliance and ensure your service is inspection-ready? HLTH Group provides expert support in all areas of CQC compliance to help providers stay on track. Here are seven key ways to assess your own performance.

1. Conduct a Full Compliance Audit

Carrying out a mock CQC inspection is one of the most effective ways to benchmark your service. A thorough internal audit—aligned with the five key questions (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-led) and new Quality Statements—can highlight strengths and pinpoint areas for improvement.

✅ HLTH Group provides full CQC-style compliance audits and mock inspections, giving providers an accurate picture of where they stand and a clear action plan for improvement.

2. Review Policies and Procedures

Outdated policies are a common compliance failure. Your policies must reflect current CQC regulations, best practice, and legislative changes, including those related to safeguarding, medicines management, infection prevention, and governance.

✅ HLTH Group offers a full policy review service, ensuring all documents are up to date, aligned with regulatory standards, and easily accessible to staff.

3. Assess HR and Workforce Compliance

The CQC places significant emphasis on workforce governance and staff competence. Regularly reviewing HR processes ensures compliance with regulations, including:
🔹 Mandatory training completion rates
🔹 Staff supervision and appraisal records
🔹 Right to work checks and DBS renewals
🔹 Staffing levels and dependency assessments

✅ HLTH Group supports providers with HR compliance checks and workforce governance audits, ensuring all processes are in place and aligned with regulatory requirements.

4. Review Health and Safety Practices

Ensuring a safe working environment is a fundamental part of regulatory compliance. Key checks should include:
🔸 Fire risk assessments and evacuation procedures
🔸 Infection control audits
🔸 Premises and equipment maintenance logs
🔸 Accident and incident reporting

✅ HLTH Group conducts detailed Health & Safety audits to ensure compliance with both CQC and wider regulatory expectations.

5. Audit Your Recruitment Processes

The CQC expects providers to have safe and effective recruitment procedures in place to ensure that only suitable individuals are employed in care roles. Key aspects to review include:
✔️ Full employment history checks and references
✔️ Robust pre-employment screening (DBS checks, right to work, and qualifications)
✔️ Induction and probationary period monitoring
✔️ Processes for addressing poor performance or misconduct

✅ HLTH Group provides recruitment audits and safer recruitment training, helping providers ensure that their processes meet CQC requirements.

6. Check Your Registration Details and Regulated Activities

Many providers have not reviewed their CQC registration since they were first inspected. However, as services evolve, registration details—including your Nominated Individual, Registered Manager, and regulated activities—must remain accurate and up to date.

Failure to notify the CQC of changes in leadership, service provision, or key roles can result in regulatory breaches.

✅ HLTH Group supports providers with CQC registration reviews, ensuring all regulated activities, key personnel, and governance structures are fully compliant.

7. Gather and Act on Feedback

CQC inspections are increasingly evidence-driven, meaning providers must demonstrate how they act on feedback from staff, service users, and external professionals.

To strengthen compliance:
🔹 Regularly collect and review feedback from service users and families
🔹 Conduct staff surveys to assess engagement and workplace culture
🔹 Use complaints and incident data to drive service improvements

✅ HLTH Group offers governance reviews and compliance coaching, helping providers build a culture of continuous improvement and regulatory excellence.

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Stay Ahead of CQC Expectations with HLTH Group

With inspections becoming less frequent, it is vital for providers to self-assess their compliance rather than waiting for a visit from the regulator. By proactively benchmarking your service, you can ensure that you remain compliant, mitigate risks, and be fully prepared for your next CQC inspection—whenever it may be.

At HLTH Group, we provide expert support to help providers assess their compliance, prepare for inspection, and implement robust governance structures. Whether you need a mock inspection, policy review, workforce audit, or registration support, our team of former CQC inspectors and compliance specialists are here to help.

📩 Get in touch today to discuss how we can support your compliance journey.