Are Your Policies CQC-Ready — or Just Sitting in a Folder?

Every provider has a policy folder. But in tenders and CQC inspections, having policies isn’t enough. The question is: do staff understand and apply them in practice?

📋 Beyond the Binder

Commissioners and CQC assess more than just what’s written down. They want to see:

• How policies are communicated to staff
• How you check policies are followed
• How you keep them updated and relevant

Referring to this in tenders — especially under leadership, governance or continuous improvement questions — helps you stand out from generic responses.

✅ Good Practice Looks Like This

• Induction includes training on key policies
• Staff sign to confirm understanding (not just receipt)
• Spot checks or audits test policy understanding in action
• Policies are reviewed annually and after any major incident

Describe these habits clearly in your bid — they show embedded quality, not just compliance.