Guide
What happens on a CQC mock inspection?
A mock inspection is a rehearsal of the real thing. An experienced consultant reviews your service the way an inspector would, tells you what they found and gives you a written report with an action plan. Here is how a mock inspection usually runs, start to finish.
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1. Before the day
We agree the scope, the date and whether the visit is on site or remote, then ask for a short list of documents in advance: statement of purpose, staffing structure, recent audits, complaints and incident logs, and your last CQC report if you have one.
2. Opening discussion with the manager
A short session with the Registered Manager or nominated individual covering current pressures, staffing, recent incidents and anything you already know is weak. Nothing is gained by hiding problems from a mock inspector.
3. Records and evidence review
The bulk of the day. The consultant samples records the way an inspector would.
- Care plans and risk assessments, including reviews and consent or mental capacity records
- Medication administration records, storage, stock and competency checks
- Staff files: recruitment, DBS, right to work, induction, training, supervision and appraisal
- Incidents, accidents, safeguarding referrals and CQC notifications
- Complaints, compliments and how the service responded
- Audits, action plans and evidence of governance under Regulation 17
4. Observation and conversations
Where the visit is on site, the consultant observes care and interaction, checks the environment and infection prevention, and speaks with people using the service, relatives and staff where it is appropriate to do so.
5. Feedback before the consultant leaves
A verbal summary of the main findings against the five Key Questions — Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led — so nothing in the written report is a surprise.
6. The written report
A CQC-style report follows, setting out findings against each Key Question and the relevant quality statements, indicative ratings, the evidence gaps an inspector would likely raise, and a prioritised action plan with owners and target dates.
How long does it take, and what does it cost?
A single service usually takes one full day on site plus report writing. A mock CQC inspection from AJG Advisory is £495, or £395 for MyCareCompliance subscribers. Larger or multi-site services are quoted individually.
What to do with the findings
The value is in what happens afterwards. Findings load into MyCareCompliance as actions with owners and deadlines, scores update against the Key Questions as items are closed, and the evidence sits with the audit it belongs to — so at the real inspection you can show both the problem and the fix.
Need to manage this in your service?
Use MyCareCompliance to organise audits, actions, evidence and governance in one place. MyCareCompliance does not guarantee a CQC rating or inspection outcome.