Free guidance on CQC registration, inspection preparation, duty of candour, fit and proper person requirements, and improving your rating — for care providers across England.
↓ Try the Checker NowRegistered care providers must meet specific fundamental standards under CQC regulation — covering everything from safe care and treatment to duty of candour — and understanding exactly what's required helps avoid enforcement action before it happens.
These cover person-centred care, dignity and respect, safe care and treatment, safeguarding from abuse, and the duty of candour — being open and honest when things go wrong. Falling below any of these isn't just a quality issue; it's a regulatory breach the CQC can act on directly.
Providers must proactively inform people if something has gone wrong with their care that has caused, or could cause, harm — including a genuine apology and explanation. Failing to be open about this isn't just poor practice; it's a specific, separately enforceable regulatory requirement.
This checker gives you a plain English read on your specific situation, answered only from its own guide for your part of the UK, checked against official sources. No login needed, and your answer is generated instantly based on what you tell us.
Our guidance covers many common situations, but complex or high-stakes cases need professional advice. For employment issues, contact ACAS in England, Wales and Scotland (0300 123 1100) or the Labour Relations Agency in Northern Ireland (03300 555 300). For free general advice, contact Citizens Advice (England 0800 144 8848, Wales 0800 702 2020), Citizens Advice Scotland (0800 028 1456) or Advice NI (0800 915 4604). Care services are regulated by the Care Quality Commission in England, Care Inspectorate Wales, the Care Inspectorate in Scotland and the RQIA in Northern Ireland.
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Describe your compliance situation and we'll check your obligations
For care providers: This checker covers CQC registration, inspection readiness, regulatory obligations and rating improvement. For patient or resident rights, use our CQC & Care Standards checker.
Describe your compliance situation — include the type of service, what happened or what you need to know, and any relevant background.
Free · Guidance only, not legal advice
What happens if a CQC inspection finds a breach?
The CQC can send an Action Plan request (these used to be called Requirement Notices) or a Warning Notice, and in serious cases can impose conditions, suspend or cancel registration, or prosecute. Proposed conditions, suspension or cancellation can be challenged in writing and then appealed to the First-tier Tribunal.
How often are care services inspected?
Inspection frequency depends on the service's current rating and risk profile — services rated as requiring improvement or inadequate are typically reinspected sooner than those rated good or outstanding.
Can a care provider appeal a CQC rating?
Not to a tribunal. Providers can send factual accuracy comments on the draft report within 10 working days. After publication the CQC offers a rating review, but only on the ground that the CQC did not follow its own process for making ratings decisions, not because the provider disagrees with its judgements.
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The checker answers only from this guide (one guide for the whole UK; lines that differ by nation are marked), plus what you tell it. If your question is not covered there, it says so instead of guessing. Each guide was checked against primary sources on 26 September 2026.
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Directed and published by Matt Thompson, founder of UK Work Rights. Guidance checked against GOV.UK, ACAS and legislation.gov.uk. This is general rights guidance, not legal advice.
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