CQC quality statement — Safe
Infection prevention and control
"We assess and manage the risk of infection. We detect and control the risk of it spreading and share concerns with appropriate agencies promptly." In MyCareCompliance, 10 mapped checks across 5 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.
- 10 mapped checks under the "Infection prevention and control" quality statement
- Evidences 2 regulations: Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatment, Regulation 17 — Good governance
- Failed checks become tracked improvement actions with an owner, due date and evidence
The 10 checks
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentCompetency Audit
Are staff routinely observed for infection prevention and control (IPC) competencies, including proper use of PPE and hand hygiene?
What we look for: Check how often field supervisors observe handwashing and PPE donning/doffing during regular spot checks. Good looks like specific sections on spot check forms dedicated to IPC practice. A fail is checking a box for 'wears uniform' without assessing actual IPC technique.
Evidence: IPC spot checks, field observation reports, supervision notes
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentHealth & Safety
Are staff adhering to infection prevention and control (IPC) and COSHH guidelines, with adequate access to safe PPE?
What we look for: Review PPE supply levels and field spot checks. Verify staff know how to safely dispose of clinical waste in a domestic setting. A fail is poor hand hygiene observed, PPE stockouts, or staff using hazardous chemicals without guidance.
Evidence: IPC policy, Spot check records, PPE stock logs, Staff training matrix, COSHH risk assessments (e.g., for specific cleaning chemicals)
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentInfection Prevention & Control
Is there an up-to-date Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) policy that aligns with current national guidance and legislation for home care?
What we look for: Review the IPC policy to ensure it reflects current Dept of Health/UKHSA guidance for domiciliary care. A good policy outlines specific procedures for PPE, hand hygiene, and waste. It fails if the policy is generic, outdated, or relies on care-home specific language that doesn't apply to community settings.
Evidence: IPC Policy, COVID-19/Winter respiratory guidance, Manager's update logs
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentInfection Prevention & Control
Have all care staff completed comprehensive training in IPC, and is their practical competency regularly assessed?
What we look for: Sample 5-10 staff training records to verify IPC and food hygiene training is up to date. Look for evidence of practical competency assessments (e.g., correct donning and doffing of PPE, hand washing technique). A fail would be expired training or a lack of practical competency checks.
Evidence: Training matrix, Training certificates, Competency assessment forms
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentInfection Prevention & Control
Are there robust systems in place to ensure all field staff have continuous access to appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
What we look for: Check how the agency manages PPE distribution to field staff. Good practice involves staff having easy access to replacement stock (gloves, aprons, masks) without barriers. A fail would be staff running out of PPE, using inadequate substitutes, or having to purchase their own.
Evidence: PPE stock logs, PPE ordering process, Staff feedback/supervision notes
- Regulation 17 — Good governanceInfection Prevention & Control
Does the management team conduct and record field spot checks to monitor staff adherence to safe IPC and hand hygiene practices?
What we look for: Review recent spot check records to confirm managers are actively observing staff hand hygiene and PPE use in clients' homes. Good practice includes immediate feedback and retraining if poor practice is spotted. A fail is a lack of field observations or spot checks that consistently fail to cover IPC elements.
Evidence: Spot check records, Field observation forms, Supervision notes
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentInfection Prevention & Control
Are there clear, documented procedures followed for the safe management and disposal of clinical waste and sharps in people's homes?
What we look for: Check how staff are instructed to dispose of soiled pads, catheter bags, or sharps. Good practice requires clear agreements with the local authority for clinical waste collection where necessary. A fail would be staff disposing of hazardous waste in standard household bins against local guidelines.
Evidence: Waste management policy, Care plans, Staff training records
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentInfection Prevention & Control
Is there clear guidance and adherence regarding staff dress codes, uniforms, and a 'bare below the elbows' policy during personal care?
What we look for: Review the uniform policy and spot check records to ensure staff are maintaining safe dress codes (e.g., no acrylic nails, no stoned rings, short sleeves during care). A fail would be observation records showing staff wearing heavy jewelry or long painted nails during personal care tasks without management challenge.
Evidence: Uniform policy, Staff handbook, Spot check forms
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentPolicy & Procedure Audit
Does the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) policy align with current national guidance and cover domiciliary-specific risks?
What we look for: Review the IPC policy to ensure it addresses specific risks in people's own homes (e.g., clinical waste disposal, pet risks, handling soiled laundry). A fail is an outdated policy or one written for a clinical/care home setting that doesn't translate to homecare.
Evidence: IPC policy, PPE guidance, spot check records, waste disposal procedures
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentSpot Checks Audit
Do spot checks robustly assess staff compliance with current infection control protocols, including appropriate use, donning/doffing, and disposal of PPE?
What we look for: Check that hand hygiene and correct PPE usage (aprons, gloves, masks if applicable) are explicitly monitored during the unannounced visit. A fail is if the field supervisor ignores poor handwashing or incorrect uniform/PPE practices.
Evidence: Spot check forms, IPC policies, supervisor observation notes
Other Safe quality statements
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