Knowledge centre · Reports

How to complete a CQC factual accuracy check

Before CQC publishes a report, the provider is sent a draft and invited to check it for factual accuracy and completeness. It is your chance to correct errors and point to evidence that was missed — but it is not an appeal against the rating.

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

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7 days free. Plans from £24.99 per organisation per month, inclusive of VAT. Features vary by plan. Compare plans and trial terms.

Last reviewed: 10 October 2026. Independent guidance from AJG Advisory — not official CQC guidance. Always check the official sources listed below for current requirements.

Who it applies to

Registered managers and nominated individuals who have received a CQC draft report.

What you can comment on

Facts that are wrong, such as dates, numbers, names or service details
Evidence that existed at the time but was not taken into account
Statements that are incomplete in a way that changes their meaning

What does not usually succeed

Disagreeing with a judgement without new factual evidence
Evidence of improvements made after the assessment
Long general statements about the quality of the service

How to write good comments

Use the CQC form and keep to the deadline in the covering letter
Quote the exact sentence, say what is wrong, and give the correct fact
Attach or reference specific evidence that was available at the time
Keep a calm, factual tone throughout

Internal audit questions

1.Has every inaccuracy been matched to evidence dated before the assessment?
2.Have you separated factual errors from disagreements with judgements?
3.Will the response be submitted before the deadline?

Practical checklist

Draft report read line by line
Errors logged with the correct fact and evidence
Response checked by a second senior person
Submitted on the CQC form by the deadline

How MyCareCompliance can help

Because MyCareCompliance stores dated audits, evidence and action history, you can quickly find documents that existed at the time of the assessment to support factual accuracy comments.

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.