Guidance
CQC regulations and fundamental standards explained
The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 set out the fundamental standards every registered provider must meet. These guides explain the regulations care providers ask about most, in plain English, with the evidence that may be relevant, internal audit questions and a practical checklist. They are independent guidance from AJG Advisory, not official CQC guidance.
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Last reviewed: 28 September 2026. This guidance reflects CQC information available at the date above — always refer to cqc.org.uk for current regulatory requirements.
The 13 fundamental standards at a glance
Every registered provider must meet all of these standards:
- Regulation 9 — Person-centred care
- Regulation 10 — Dignity and respect
- Regulation 11 — Need for consent
- Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatment
- Regulation 13 — Safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment
- Regulation 14 — Meeting nutritional and hydration needs
- Regulation 15 — Premises and equipment
- Regulation 16 — Receiving and acting on complaints
- Regulation 17 — Good governance
- Regulation 18 — Staffing
- Regulation 19 — Fit and proper persons employed
- Regulation 20 — Duty of candour
- Regulation 20A — Requirement as to display of performance assessments (ratings)
Detailed guides
The regulations providers ask about most have their own guide below. Related topics: safer recruitment for Regulation 19, the complaints register for Regulation 16 and fire safety for Regulation 15.
CQC Regulation 9 · Person-centred care
CQC Regulation 9: person-centred careWhat CQC Regulation 9 (person-centred care) requires, with examples of the evidence inspectors look for, audit questions and a free checklist for care homes, home care and supported living.
CQC Regulation 10 · Dignity and respect
CQC Regulation 10: dignity and respectWhat CQC Regulation 10 means for care providers: privacy, dignity, independence and equality — evidence to keep, audit questions and a practical checklist.
CQC Regulation 11 · Need for consent
CQC Regulation 11: need for consentCQC Regulation 11 in plain English: consent to care, the Mental Capacity Act, best-interest decisions, evidence to hold and internal audit questions.
CQC Regulation 12 · Safe care and treatment
CQC Regulation 12: safe care and treatmentPlain-English guide to CQC Regulation 12 for care homes and home care: risk assessment, medicines, infection control, evidence, audit questions and a checklist.
CQC Regulation 13 · Safeguarding
CQC Regulation 13: safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatmentCQC Regulation 13 explained for care providers: safeguarding systems, referrals, restraint, evidence to keep, internal audit questions and a checklist.
CQC Regulation 17 · Good governance
CQC Regulation 17 compliance: good governanceCQC Regulation 17 in plain English: audits, oversight, records and improvement. Evidence to keep, internal audit questions and a governance checklist.
CQC Regulation 18 · Staffing
CQC Regulation 18: staffingWhat CQC Regulation 18 requires on staffing levels, training, supervision and appraisal, with the evidence inspectors check, audit questions and a free checklist for care providers.
CQC Regulation 20 · Duty of candour
CQC Regulation 20: duty of candourPlain-English guide to the duty of candour (CQC Regulation 20) for care providers: when it applies, what to do, records to keep and audit questions.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the CQC fundamental standards?
- They are the standards below which care must never fall, set out in Regulations 9 to 20A of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. They cover person-centred care, dignity, consent, safety, safeguarding, nutrition, premises, complaints, governance, staffing, recruitment, duty of candour and displaying ratings.
- How many CQC regulations are there?
- Thirteen regulations make up the fundamental standards (9 to 20A). Providers must also meet other requirements, such as Regulation 5 (fit and proper persons: directors) and the notification duties in the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009.
- Which CQC regulation is breached most often?
- CQC publishes this in its annual State of Care reports. Regulation 12 (safe care and treatment) and Regulation 17 (good governance) are frequently cited in adult social care reports, so they are a sensible place to start your own checks.
- Is breaching a regulation a criminal offence?
- Some regulations, such as parts of Regulations 12, 13, 14 and 20, can be prosecuted directly. CQC can also use civil enforcement such as warning notices and conditions. See the CQC enforcement policy for detail.
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