What Counts as Regulated Activity in Social Care?
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What Is a Regulated Activity?
Regulated activities are specific types of care and treatment that fall under the remit of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). If you intend to deliver one or more of these services in England, you must apply for registration before you begin.
The list is defined by the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
Common Regulated Activities in Social Care
For most adult social care providers, the most relevant regulated activities include:
- Personal Care – hands-on support with washing, dressing, eating, or toileting
- Accommodation for Persons Requiring Nursing or Personal Care – residential care homes
- Treatment of Disease, Disorder or Injury – includes many nursing and healthcare services
- Nursing Care – services requiring registered nursing staff
- Diagnostic and Screening Procedures – less common in social care, but can apply to integrated services
What’s NOT Regulated?
Not every activity requires CQC registration. For example:
- Help with shopping, cleaning, or companionship only
- Support planning or keyworking without personal care
- Advice, signposting, or advocacy services
If you are only providing non-regulated services, you do not need to register — but the moment you add personal care, registration becomes mandatory.
How to Choose the Right Regulated Activity
When you complete your CQC application, you’ll need to declare which regulated activity you’re applying for. Choose carefully — it should reflect what your service will actually do on the ground.
Declaring the wrong activity can delay your registration or lead to conditions being added to your registration certificate.
Still Not Sure?
If you're unsure whether your service requires CQC registration, or which activity to apply for, it's best to get advice early. Missteps can cause delays or even rejection of your application.
At Impact Guru Ltd, we help new providers navigate the registration process with tailored support, editable policy templates, and clear guidance.
Get in touch with us for one-to-one advice, or explore our downloadable resources for CQC registration.
Written by Mike Harrison, Founder of Impact Guru Ltd — specialists in bid writing and strategy for social care providers
Visit impact-guru.co.uk to browse downloadable strategies, method statements, or get in touch about tender support.