Checklist · Care homes

Care home compliance checklist

Use this checklist to review the main compliance areas in a residential or nursing home. Each item links to the regulation it most relates to, so you can see where gaps sit and what to audit next.

MyCareCompliance brings practical CQC audits, evidence, workforce oversight and improvement actions into one platform for adult social care providers.

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Last reviewed: 28 September 2026. Independent guidance from AJG Advisory — not official CQC guidance. Always check the official sources listed below for current requirements.

Who it applies to

Residential care homes and nursing homes registered with CQC in England.

How to use it

Work through one section per week, or use it as a quick monthly check. Anything you can't evidence should become an action with an owner and due date.

Internal audit questions

1.Are care plans and risk assessments reviewed monthly and after change? (Reg 9, 12)
2.Are MAR charts audited monthly with gaps investigated? (Reg 12)
3.Are falls reviewed with risk assessments updated? (Reg 12)
4.Is the IPC audit current with actions closed? (Reg 12)
5.Are DoLS applications and MCA assessments in place where needed? (Reg 11, 13)
6.Are safeguarding concerns referred and notified? (Reg 13)
7.Are staffing levels linked to dependency? (Reg 18)
8.Is training, supervision and appraisal in date? (Reg 18)
9.Are equipment and premises checks up to date? (Reg 15)
10.Is there a monthly governance report reviewed by leaders? (Reg 17)

Practical checklist

Care plans reviewed
MAR audit done
Falls analysis done
IPC audit done
MCA / DoLS current
Safeguarding log complete
Dependency tool reviewed
Training matrix current
Premises and equipment checks
Governance report reviewed

How MyCareCompliance can help

Every item here has a matching audit in the MyCareCompliance library. Schedule them monthly and the dashboard shows which are due, overdue or failed.

Official sources

MyCareCompliance is founded by Jack Green, ACC Accredited Care Consultant, with over 10 years in adult social care and registered manager experience. Read Jack’s background.

See how the platform organises this work

Genuine product screenshots using demo data. Scores show internal assurance, not CQC ratings. Features vary by plan.

Compliance Centre showing overall score and domain ratings for a care service — Compliance Centre — one snapshot of where the service stands today.

Audit register listing scheduled and completed CQC audits with due dates — Audit programme — scheduled, completed and overdue audits in one register.

Improvement action plan with owners, priorities and due dates — Improvement plan — findings become actions with an owner and a deadline.

Workforce compliance records showing DBS, right to work and training expiry status — Workforce compliance — DBS, right to work, training and supervision expiry.

Need to manage this in your service?

Use MyCareCompliance to organise audits, actions, evidence and governance in one place. 7 days free, then from £24.99 per month for the whole organisation, inclusive of VAT. Features vary by plan.

Start free trial Book a free demo

MyCareCompliance does not guarantee a CQC rating or inspection outcome.