Why “We Have a Policy” Isn’t Enough — What Commissioners Actually Want
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Too often, social care tender responses include phrases like “we follow our safeguarding policy” or “our recruitment policy is CQC-compliant.” These statements are safe — but vague.
Commissioners aren’t looking for reassurances. They’re looking for evidence. Evidence that your policies are:
- Actively used
- Regularly reviewed
- Understood by staff
🔁 Show Policy Implementation, Not Just Ownership
It’s not enough to say you have a policy. In your tender responses, explain:
- How policies are introduced at induction
- How managers monitor compliance in day-to-day practice
- What happens when policies are breached — and how learning is captured
These examples demonstrate that policies are living documents, not paperwork.
🛠️ Evidence Review and Governance
Strong services have review cycles. You might say:
- “Policies are reviewed every 12 months or following incidents.”
- “Reviews involve frontline staff, not just managers, to ensure relevance.”
- “Key changes are highlighted in staff meetings and added to training sessions.”
This positions your organisation as one that takes governance seriously.
🧠 Policies and Culture Go Hand-in-Hand
If your culture doesn’t reflect your policies, it will show — in audits, inspections, and poor scores. Use tenders to show how:
- Staff understand the “why” behind each policy
- There’s open discussion about improving policy and practice
- You’re proactive, not reactive, in policy development