How Policies Shape Your CQC Registration Success

Getting registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is a key milestone for any new provider. But it’s not just about paperwork β€” it’s about demonstrating that you’re serious about governance, safety, and quality from the very start.

One of the most common reasons CQC queries applications is weak, missing, or poorly written policies. Strong policies are the foundation that underpins everything else β€” from recruitment to safeguarding, medication to complaints.


βœ… Why Policies Matter for Registration

  • They show you understand your legal duties under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
  • They help CQC assess whether you’re safe, well-led, and compliant with regulations.
  • They set out clear procedures for staff to follow from day one.

Without these in place, your registration process may stall β€” or worse, fail.


πŸ“‹ Essential Policies to Have Ready

While the exact policies you need may depend on your service type, these are considered essential by CQC:

  • Safeguarding Adults (and Children where relevant)
  • Medication Management
  • Complaints Handling
  • Health & Safety
  • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
  • Data Protection & Confidentiality (GDPR)
  • Staff Recruitment and Vetting
  • Whistleblowing

These aren’t just documents β€” they shape the culture, safety, and risk management of your service from day one.


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Updated for Procurement Act 2023 β€’ CQC-aligned β€’ BASE-aligned (where relevant)


Written by Impact Guru, editorial oversight by Mike Harrison, Founder of Impact Guru Ltd β€” bringing extensive experience in health and social care tenders, commissioning and strategy.

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