CQC inspection preparation
How to prepare for a CQC inspection in adult social care
Inspection readiness is not a week of tidying folders. It is continuous evidence against the fundamental standards and the single assessment framework. These are the six steps AJG Advisory consultants work through with providers, and the same steps our compliance software runs month to month.
MyCareCompliance brings practical CQC audits, evidence, workforce oversight and improvement actions into one platform for adult social care providers.
7 days free, card required, £0 today. From day 8 your plan (from £24.99 a month, inclusive of VAT) is charged automatically unless you cancel before your trial ends. Features vary by plan. Compare plans and trial terms.
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1. Know which key questions you are weakest on
CQC assesses Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led through quality statements and evidence categories. Start by scoring yourself against each key question rather than working through documents at random.
2. Evidence the fundamental standards, in writing
Regulations 9 to 20A each need current, dated evidence: person-centred care records, consent and mental capacity records, safeguarding, premises and equipment checks, complaints, governance records, staffing and fit and proper persons checks.
3. Get workforce records inspection-ready
Recruitment files, DBS checks, right to work and sponsorship records, mandatory training, supervision and appraisal are among the first things an inspector samples. Track expiry dates rather than discovering gaps on the day.
4. Show that audits lead to action
Record and address shortfalls identified in an audit. Every shortfall should have an owner, a due date, evidence of completion and sign-off — that is your quality improvement plan.
5. Run a mock inspection before the real one
A comprehensive mock inspection across all audit domains gives an indicative readiness assessment per key question and highlights evidence gaps while there is still time to fix them.
6. Work a dated readiness plan
Set your expected inspection date and work backwards through required documentation, training dates and evidence per standard, with lead times so nothing lands the week before.
Inspection preparation in the platform — demo data
Genuine product screenshots using demo data. Scores show internal assurance, not CQC ratings. Features vary by plan.
Prepare with support
AJG Advisory runs a four-day monthly audit programme with providers, covering service users and care quality, workforce, medication and operations, and governance and safety.
7 days free, card required, £0 today. From day 8 your plan (from £24.99 a month, inclusive of VAT) is charged automatically unless you cancel before your trial ends. Features vary by plan. Compare plans and trial terms.