“Hello everyone, and thank you for having time to read my post today. Whether you’re starting a new healthcare business or expanding an existing one, registering with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is a crucial step. However, many people make avoidable mistakes during this process, leading to delays or even rejected applications. In the next few minutes, I’m going to walk you through the five most common mistakes people make when registering with the CQC and how you can avoid them.” I have been registering Providers since 2012, I now have a grasp of what makes a successful and a failed submission to register with CQC.
Mistake 1: Misunderstanding Regulated Activities
“One of the most common mistakes people make is not fully understanding their regulated activities. The CQC regulates specific types of care, like personal care, nursing, or supported living, and you need to clearly define which activities your business will provide.
Choosing the wrong or incomplete regulated activities can result in the CQC rejecting your application. For example, if you’re running a domiciliary care service but forget to include ‘personal care’ as a regulated activity, your registration won’t cover the services you’re actually offering.
How to Avoid It: Carefully review the list of regulated activities and select the ones that accurately reflect your business model. If in doubt, seek professional advice to ensure you’re applying for the right categories.”
Mistake 2: Inadequate Policies and Procedures
“The second big mistake is submitting incomplete or inadequate policies and procedures. The CQC expects you to have robust, up-to-date policies in place before you apply. These policies are essential because they show how your service will operate safely and effectively.
I’ve seen too many applications fail because the policies were either too generic, outdated, or simply didn’t cover the necessary areas, such as safeguarding, risk management, governance and infection control.
How to Avoid It: Make sure all your policies are specific to your service, align with CQC standards, and are regularly updated. If you’re using templates, ensure they are customized to reflect how your business operates.” Merely buying policies from third parties does not absolve you from your responsibility of making sure the policies are compliant and accurate.
Mistake 3: Not Appointing the Right Registered Manager
“Another common mistake is not appointing the right Registered Manager. The Registered Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of the service and plays a key role in the success of your registration. Many people either appoint someone who doesn’t have the necessary qualifications or experience, or worse, leave this position unfilled during the application process. Most people assume that by being a healthcare professional like a nurse or social worker will automatically qualify you as a CQC Regsitered Mananger. No, that is not always the case.
This is a red flag for the CQC because it indicates that your service might not be well-led or compliant with regulations.
How to Avoid It: Appoint an experienced Registered Manager who understands CQC standards and can demonstrate leadership in care. Make sure their qualifications are in line with the role and that they are fully prepared to take on the responsibility.” Run your qualifications and experience with the CQC if you are not sure.
Mistake 4: Failing the Fit and Proper Person Test
“Next up is the Fit and Proper Person Test. The CQC requires key individuals—like Directors and Registered Managers—to pass this test, which ensures that those running the service are suitable to do so. Some applicants fail to take this test seriously, not realising that even minor issues in the past can affect their registration.
For example, not disclosing past misconduct or inadequate leadership in previous roles can cause your application to be flagged. Even driving offenses that are spent must be declared.
How to Avoid It: Be transparent. Make sure that everyone involved in your service passes the Fit and Proper Person Test and meets the necessary standards for leadership, care, and compliance. Honesty is critical, and transparency will help avoid any unnecessary delays.”
Mistake 5: Submitting Incomplete or Poorly Prepared Applications
“The final mistake, and one that I see far too often, is submitting incomplete or poorly prepared applications. Rushed applications that miss key information or include incorrect details are often rejected or delayed by the CQC.
Your application needs to include everything from detailed descriptions of your service model to a clear statement of purpose. If anything is left out, the CQC will request further information, prolonging the registration process.
How to Avoid It: Take your time. Double-check that your application is complete and accurate before submitting it. Ensure that your statement of purpose clearly outlines your service’s mission, the care you’ll provide, and your commitment to compliance with CQC standards.”
“To summarise, the five most common mistakes people make when registering with the CQC are misunderstanding their regulated activities, submitting inadequate policies and procedures, not appointing the right Registered Manager, failing the Fit and Proper Person Test, and submitting incomplete applications. By avoiding these pitfalls, you can significantly improve your chances of a smooth, successful registration.
If you need help with any part of the process, don’t hesitate to get in touch. With the right guidance, your registration can be smooth and stress-free. Thank you for your time!”
Godfrey Mushandu
@godfreymushandu,
https://ultrahealthcare.co.uk/services/cqc-registration/
