Getting Commission-Ready: A Social Care Checklist

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Whether you’re bidding for a new contract, expecting a commissioner visit, or preparing for CQC inspection, being commission-ready can make or break your outcome. It’s not just about paperwork — it’s about showing you're safe, consistent, and capable of scaling.

This article offers a practical checklist that social care providers can use to stay ready all year round.

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📁 1. Governance

• ✔️ Up-to-date policies & procedures
• ✔️ Quality audits and action plans in place
• ✔️ CQC registration certificates and Responsible Individual details ready to share

👥 2. Workforce

• ✔️ Safer recruitment files with references and DBS checks
• ✔️ Training matrix with refreshers logged (e.g. safeguarding, MCA, fire safety)
• ✔️ Supervision records and appraisal schedules

🛡️ 3. Safeguarding & Risk

• ✔️ Safeguarding policies for adults and children (where relevant)
• ✔️ Evidence of incident reporting and learning from events
• ✔️ Clear whistleblowing procedures understood by staff

📊 4. Outcomes & Monitoring

• ✔️ Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tracked and acted on
• ✔️ Feedback mechanisms for people supported, families, and staff
• ✔️ Demonstrated impact — e.g. reduced hospital admissions, improved independence

🔑 5. Values & Culture

• ✔️ Vision and values clearly stated and lived by your team
• ✔️ Diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) policies in action
• ✔️ Co-production, service user involvement, and peer voice embedded

💬 Final Tip: Stay Ready, Not Scrambling

Being “always inspection-ready” means you’re never caught off guard. Commissioners don’t just want a good bid — they want to know you can deliver it safely, confidently, and compliantly from Day One.

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