CQC quality statement — Safe
Safe environments
"We detect and control potential risks in the care environment. We make sure that the equipment, facilities and technology support the delivery of safe care." In MyCareCompliance, 9 mapped checks across 8 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 "Safe environments" quality statement
- Evidences 1 regulation: Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatment
- Failed checks become tracked improvement actions with an owner, due date and evidence
The 9 checks
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentBusiness Continuity
Does the service have robust contingencies for severe weather and localized environmental disruptions preventing staff travel?
What we look for: Check for practical arrangements for snow, flooding, or heatwaves. Good looks like mapped out walking routes, arrangements with local 4x4 owners, or clustering staff to local clients. Fail if there are no practical logistical plans for travel disruptions.
Evidence: Severe weather policy, 4x4 volunteer lists, Staff deployment maps, Winter planning documents
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentFalls Management
Are environmental risks related to falls within the service user's home assessed and regularly reviewed?
What we look for: Check environmental assessments for hazards like loose rugs, poor lighting, or clutter. Good practice includes discussing removal of hazards with the person or their family. Fail if hazards are noted but no action or discussion is recorded.
Evidence: Environmental risk assessments, spot check records, home safety checklists
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentHealth & Safety
Are comprehensive environmental health and safety risk assessments completed for all service users' homes prior to care commencing?
What we look for: Sample 5 new care packages. Check if environmental risks (trip hazards, pets, smoke, lighting) were assessed before day one. A fail would be missing assessments or failure to address identified risks like faulty wiring or aggressive pets.
Evidence: Service user care plans, Environmental risk assessments, Initial assessment records, Action plans for identified hazards
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentHealth & Safety
Is there documented assurance that moving and handling equipment used in people's homes is safe, serviced (LOLER), and checked by staff?
What we look for: Sample 3 people using hoists. Check if the provider has confirmed LOLER checks are in date (even if owned by the local authority). Staff must document pre-use visual checks. A fail is staff using unserviced or visibly damaged equipment.
Evidence: Service user risk assessments, LOLER certificates in home files, Staff daily logs, Moving and handling assessments
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentHospital Transitions
Are required changes to equipment and the home environment arranged and verified before care is restarted?
What we look for: Check files for people returning home with new mobility needs. Verify that required equipment (e.g., hospital beds, hoists) is installed, staff are trained to use it, and environmental risk assessments are updated. Restarting care without safe manual handling equipment is a clear fail.
Evidence: OT assessments, Manual handling risk assessments, Environmental risk checklists, Communication logs with equipment stores
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentMoving & Handling
Is there evidence that moving and handling equipment used in the home has been safely checked and serviced?
What we look for: Check for evidence that hoists, stand aids, and profiling beds have up-to-date servicing (LOLER every 6 months for lifting equipment). Good looks like copies of certificates on file and staff trained to do visual checks before each use. Fail if equipment is overdue for service and still being used.
Evidence: LOLER certificates, equipment service logs, daily visual check logs, OT letters.
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentRisk Assessments Audit
Has a comprehensive environmental/home safety risk assessment been completed and documented for the person's home?
What we look for: Review the environmental checks for a sample of homes. Good practice includes checking access, trip hazards, pets, and safe storage. It fails if the environmental check is completely generic, unsigned, or ignores obvious documented hazards.
Evidence: Environmental risk assessment forms, lone worker assessments, hazard check sheets
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentSkin Integrity
Are care workers checking that pressure-relieving equipment (e.g., air mattresses, cushions) is set correctly and functioning?
What we look for: Look for evidence that staff check mattress settings (e.g., matching the person's weight) during visits. Good looks like documented checks of equipment settings. A fail is no awareness or recording of equipment functioning.
Evidence: Daily notes, Equipment check logs, Care plans
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatmentSponsor Worker Compliance
Are checks in place to ensure sponsored workers who drive for work have valid UK or eligible international driving licenses and appropriate business insurance?
What we look for: For domiciliary care workers driving between calls, verify that international licenses are within the 12-month permitted UK use period and that business insurance is in place. A fail is staff driving on expired international licenses or without business cover.
Evidence: Driving licence checks, DVLA check codes, Car insurance policies (business use), Vehicle MOT and tax records
Other Safe quality statements
See it with your own service
Book a free demonstration and we will walk through the platform using scenarios from a service like yours.