What to Include in a Strong Governance Pack for CQC Registration

If you’re applying for CQC registration, your governance documents need to do more than tick boxes. They need to show how your service will be safe, effective, well-led — and capable of managing risk, quality, and staffing from day one.


📦 What Should a Governance Pack Include?

While every provider is different, strong governance packs typically include:

  • A Governance Overview Statement — summarising leadership responsibilities and oversight
  • A clear Organisational Chart
  • A Quality Assurance Framework and audit process
  • A Risk Management Approach — including sample registers or processes
  • A Staffing Plan or Training Matrix
  • Key governance policies and procedures (e.g. safeguarding, complaints, whistleblowing)

The goal is to show the CQC you’re ready to run a safe, compliant, and well-governed service — not just that you understand the theory.


🧠 What Makes It “Good” Governance?

It’s not about volume — it’s about clarity, structure, and evidence. Ask yourself:

  • Do the documents explain who does what — and how accountability is maintained?
  • Do they show how risks and quality issues are identified, acted on, and reviewed?
  • Are your processes realistic and appropriate to your service model?

If it looks like paperwork copied from a hospital trust, you may be overdoing it. Focus on what reflects your service.


💡 Final Tip

Governance is about more than documents — but documents are how you prove it. Make your pack lean, credible, and tailored. And keep it ready for inspection, too.


    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.

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