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What You're Expected to Know Premium

What CQC Expects You to Know

An overview of CQC standards and what inspectors expect from care workers. Covers documentation, confidentiality, safeguarding, and professional conduct.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects care services and can speak to staff during inspections. If an inspector asks you a question, you need to know the answer.

This guide explains what CQC expects from care workers and how to ensure you are always working to the required standard.
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The Five Key Questions

CQC assesses services against five key questions:

  • Safe — Are people protected from harm?

  • Effective — Does the service meet people needs?

  • Caring — Are people treated with kindness and respect?

  • Responsive — Does the service meet individual needs?

  • Well-led — Is the service well-managed?

    • As a care worker, you contribute to all five.

    What CQC May Ask You

    During an inspection, you may be asked:

  • Do you know the safeguarding policy?

  • How do you report concerns?

  • Can you describe the care plan for [resident name]?

  • What would you do if you saw a colleague behaving inappropriately?

  • How do you ensure infection control?

  • What training have you completed?

    • If you do not know the answer, be honest. Do not guess.

    Key Policies You Must Know

    You should know your workplace policies on:

  • Safeguarding

  • Whistleblowing

  • Confidentiality

  • Infection control

  • Manual handling

  • Medication administration

  • Fire safety

    • Ask your manager where these policies are kept and read them.

    Documentation Standards

    Your notes must be:

  • Clear and legible

  • Factual and objective

  • Timely (written as soon as possible after the event)

  • Signed and dated

    • Poor documentation can lead to a CQC rating downgrade.

    Confidentiality and GDPR

    Resident information is confidential. You must not:

  • Discuss residents outside of work

  • Share information on social media

  • Leave notes where they can be seen by others

    • Breaching confidentiality is a disciplinary offence and may be a criminal offence under GDPR.

    Infection Control

    You must:

  • Wash your hands before and after every care task

  • Use PPE correctly (gloves, aprons)

  • Dispose of waste properly

  • Report any infection outbreaks

    • CQC inspectors will watch your infection control practice.

    Consent and Capacity

    Always ask for consent before providing care. If someone refuses, you must respect their decision unless:

  • They lack capacity

  • A best interests decision has been made

    • Never force or coerce someone into accepting care.

    What CQC Expects from Your Employer

    CQC also expects your employer to:

  • Provide adequate training and supervision

  • Ensure safe staffing levels

  • Have clear policies and procedures

  • Respond to concerns and complaints

    • If your employer is failing in these areas, you can report it to CQC.

    What If CQC Finds Problems?

    If CQC finds serious issues, they may:

  • Issue a warning notice

  • Require an action plan

  • Place the service in special measures

  • Close the service

    • As a staff member, you may be interviewed as part of an investigation.

    How to Stay CQC-Ready

  • Keep your training up to date

  • Read and follow care plans

  • Report concerns immediately

  • Maintain good documentation

  • Treat residents with dignity and respect

    • If you do these things, you will always be CQC-ready.