Free checklist
Free CQC inspection checklist 2026
Use this checklist in the weeks before an assessment, or quarterly as a standing health check. It follows the five key questions and focuses on the evidence assessors actually request rather than on paperwork for its own sake.
How to use this checklist
- Work through it with your registered manager and nominated individual together
- Mark anything you could not produce within ten minutes as a gap
- Turn each gap into a dated improvement action with a named owner
- Repeat it quarterly so the position never drifts
Print it, share it with your team, or download it as a branded PDF.
Safe
- Risk assessments current and reviewed after any change or incidentEvidence: Dated reviews in each care plan
- Medication administration records complete with no unexplained gapsEvidence: MAR audit for the last three months
- Safeguarding concerns raised, recorded and referred appropriatelyEvidence: Safeguarding log and referral records
- Incidents and accidents recorded, investigated and learned fromEvidence: Incident log with outcome and learning
- Infection prevention and control practice monitoredEvidence: IPC audit and action follow-up
- Environment, equipment and fire safety checks in dateEvidence: Servicing and checking records
- Staffing levels match assessed need across every shiftEvidence: Rota, dependency tool, agency usage
Effective
- Assessments of need completed before care startsEvidence: Pre-admission or pre-service assessment
- Care plans person-centred, outcome-focused and reviewedEvidence: Reviewed care plans with the person's voice
- Consent, mental capacity and best interests recorded correctlyEvidence: MCA assessments and best interests records
- DoLS or Court of Protection authorisations tracked with expiry datesEvidence: Authorisation register
- Nutrition, hydration and health needs monitoredEvidence: Monitoring charts and professional referrals
- Mandatory and role-specific training up to dateEvidence: Training matrix with completion dates
- Working relationships with health professionals evidencedEvidence: Referrals, joint visits, correspondence
Caring
- People and families involved in planning their careEvidence: Signed involvement records and review notes
- Dignity, privacy and independence supported in daily practiceEvidence: Observations and spot checks
- Communication needs and the Accessible Information Standard metEvidence: Communication plans and accessible formats
- Protected characteristics and cultural needs recorded and respectedEvidence: Care plan sections and staff guidance
- Feedback from people who use the service gathered and acted onEvidence: Survey results with a 'you said, we did'
Responsive
- Care adjusted promptly when needs changeEvidence: Change records and updated plans
- Complaints recorded, investigated and responded to in timeEvidence: Complaints log with outcomes
- Concerns and compliments used to improve the serviceEvidence: Learning recorded in governance minutes
- End of life wishes discussed and recorded where appropriateEvidence: Advance care planning records
- Activities, community access or meaningful occupation evidencedEvidence: Activity records against personal goals
Well-led
- Audit programme scheduled, completed and signed offEvidence: Audit schedule and completed audits
- Improvement actions owned, dated and closed with evidenceEvidence: Live improvement plan
- Governance meetings held with clear records and follow-upEvidence: Minutes and action trackers
- Provider oversight of every branch or location evidencedEvidence: Provider assurance reports
- Statutory notifications submitted to CQC when requiredEvidence: Notification log
- Registered manager in post and registration details accurateEvidence: CQC registration record
- Staff supervision, appraisal and competency checks currentEvidence: Supervision matrix
- Policies reviewed, dated and known to staffEvidence: Policy register with review dates
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