CQC quality statement — Effective
Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
"We plan and deliver people's care and treatment with them, including what is important and matters to them. We do this in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice and standards." In MyCareCompliance, 9 mapped checks across 7 audit templates map to this quality statement.
Last reviewed: September 2026. This guidance reflects CQC information available at the date above — always refer to cqc.org.uk for current regulatory requirements.
How we check it
Each check below is a real question from a MyCareCompliance audit template. It names the regulation it evidences, describes what an auditor looks for in good and poor practice, and lists the evidence an inspector would expect you to produce.
- 9 mapped checks under the "Delivering evidence-based care and treatment" quality statement
- Evidences 3 regulations: Regulation 17 — Good governance, Regulation 18 — Staffing, Regulation 14 — Meeting nutritional and hydration needs
- Failed checks become tracked improvement actions with an owner, due date and evidence
The 9 checks
- Regulation 17 — Good governanceCare Plan Audit
Do the care staff's daily notes reflect the tasks and support requirements outlined in the care plan?
What we look for: Cross-reference the last 7 days of daily notes against the care plan tasks. Good looks like staff recording specific outcomes for scheduled tasks. Fails if staff record 'all care given' or routinely miss scheduled tasks without explanation.
Evidence: Daily log notes, care plan task lists, e-MAR or digital care records
- Regulation 18 — StaffingInduction / Care Certificate
Are new care staff registered for and commencing a structured induction programme aligned with the Care Certificate standards immediately upon employment?
What we look for: Sample 3-5 recently recruited staff files. Verify that an induction programme based on the Care Certificate standards is initiated on day one. A fail is indicated if staff are delivering care without having started their formal induction process.
Evidence: Staff files, Induction checklists, Training matrix, Care Certificate workbooks
- Regulation 18 — StaffingInduction / Care Certificate
Are staff completing the full Care Certificate within the recommended 12-week timeframe?
What we look for: Review the progress trackers for staff employed between 3 and 6 months ago. Ensure the Care Certificate is completed within 12 weeks, or that robust reasons and support plans are documented for any delays. Consistent failure to complete on time is a red flag.
Evidence: Care Certificate progress trackers, Completed portfolios, Training matrix
- Regulation 18 — StaffingInduction / Care Certificate
Does the induction training include specific modules relevant to the unique needs of the people the service supports (e.g., Oliver McGowan training, dementia)?
What we look for: Cross-reference the needs of the client base with the induction content. Good practice ensures new staff receive specialized training (e.g., learning disability, autism) before supporting those clients. Generic inductions failing to cover specific complex needs will fail this check.
Evidence: Training certificates, Induction schedule, Service user profiles vs training matrix
- Regulation 18 — StaffingMedication Competency Audit
Are knowledge-based checks included to ensure staff understand medication purposes, common side effects, and refusal protocols?
What we look for: Check if the assessment goes beyond mechanics (popping pills) to test understanding. Staff should know how to handle refusals, covert meds (if applicable), and who to contact if side effects are suspected.
Evidence: Written knowledge quizzes, Verbal Q&A records, Interview notes during assessment
- Regulation 14 — Meeting nutritional and hydration needsNutrition & Hydration
Do care plans contain specific, person-centred guidance on how to support the person with meals, drinks, and feeding?
What we look for: Review 5 care plans. Good looks like specific instructions (e.g., 'likes tea with one sugar', 'requires prompting to drink'). Fail if plans use generic phrases like 'assist with meals' without detail.
Evidence: Care plans, meal preparation tasks, daily routines
- Regulation 18 — StaffingStaff File / Safer Recruitment
Is there evidence of a structured, comprehensive induction aligned with the Care Certificate, completed within the required timeframe?
What we look for: Review the induction record to ensure it covers all expected areas (e.g., policies, safeguarding, health & safety). Check that shadowing shifts are signed off by both the new starter and an experienced senior. Fail if staff are deployed solo without induction sign-off.
Evidence: Induction checklist, Care Certificate workbook, shadowing sign-off sheets, manager sign-off
- Regulation 18 — StaffingSupervision Audit
Are individual training needs, competency assessments, and career development goals actively discussed and documented during supervisions?
What we look for: Check if the supervisor reviews the care worker's training compliance and identifies opportunities for upskilling (e.g., specialized dementia or stoma care). Good practice links supervision directly to the staff member's personal development plan. Failing to identify expiring mandatory training or ignoring career progression requests would be a shortfall.
Evidence: Supervision notes, personal development plans (PDPs), training matrix, certificates
- Regulation 18 — StaffingTraining Matrix Audit
Is specialist training completed for staff supporting people with specific conditions (e.g., Dementia, Autism, PEG)?
What we look for: Match client needs against the training matrix for the staff allocated to them. Good looks like staff have condition-specific training before supporting those individuals. Fail if staff are delivering complex care without appropriate specialist training.
Evidence: Training matrix, Client dependency/needs list, Specialist training certificates
Other Effective quality statements
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