What to Include in a Business Plan for CQC Registration
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Why CQC Wants to See a Business Plan
When applying to register as a care provider, your business plan helps demonstrate that your service is viable, well-planned, and sustainable.
CQC wants assurance that you’ve considered how you’ll staff the service, manage risks, maintain financial stability, and deliver safe care over time.
What to Include in Your Business Plan
Your business plan should be clear, realistic, and tailored to the type of care you plan to provide. Here’s what to include:
- Executive Summary – Who you are, what service you’re providing, and who for
- Service Model – Supported living, domiciliary care, or residential; regulated activities; client group
- Market Analysis – Local need, referral pathways, gaps in provision
- Organisational Structure – Directors, managers, roles and responsibilities
- Staffing Plan – How many staff, job roles, safer recruitment, training
- Risk Management – How you’ll manage financial, operational, safeguarding, and reputational risks
- Financial Forecasts – Budget, cash flow, start-up costs, sustainability
- Governance & Quality Assurance – Policies, audits, feedback systems, improvement plans
Top Tips for a Strong Business Plan
- Tailor it to social care – Avoid generic templates. CQC wants to see your understanding of the care sector.
- Be realistic – Don’t over-promise. Focus on how you’ll safely start small and scale responsibly.
- Link to regulations – Reference CQC’s five key questions and how you’ll meet them.
Need Help?
We create tailored, editable business plans specifically for CQC registration — whether you’re a new domiciliary care service, supported living provider, or niche organisation.
Get in touch for one-to-one support or check our blog for more registration guidance.
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.