Who it is for
Registered managers, deputies, and quality leads in care homes, supported living, and domiciliary services.
Free resource
CQC Mini Inspection Checklist
A practical manager walkthrough for UK care providers — use before a mock inspection or real visit to spot gaps in evidence and day-to-day practice.
What it helps with
Structured prompts across CQC key questions, medicines, safeguarding, staffing, and evidence folders.
How to use it
Print or use on site. Tick items as you review records, talk to staff, and walk the environment. Log actions in the quick plan at the end.
Safe
- Staffing levels safe for dependency and acuity — rota, agency use, and cover explained.
- Environment and equipment maintained — hoists, call bells, fire routes, infection prevention.
- Risk assessments in place for falls, nutrition, behaviour, and skin integrity.
- Incident and near-miss recording with management review and learning actions.
Effective
- Care and support plans reflect current needs, preferences, and outcomes.
- Reviews completed when needs change — not only on calendar default.
- Audits and quality assurance with tracked actions.
- Feedback from people using the service and families considered in improvements.
Caring
- Dignity, choice, and involvement evident in records and observations.
- End-of-life wishes and advance care planning where relevant.
- Relatives and advocates involved appropriately.
Responsive
- Complaints handled promptly with clear responses and learning.
- Safeguarding concerns raised without delay — staff know the pathway.
- DoLS / MCA documentation available for relevant people.
Well-led
- Registered manager visibility — who is in charge and how deputies are covered.
- Statement of purpose and registration conditions match service delivery.
- Governance meetings with minutes, actions, and CQC notifications considered.
- Provider policies reviewed — safeguarding, medicines, complaints — with staff awareness evidence.
Medicines / MAR
- MAR charts complete, legible, and signed for today’s administrations.
- PRN medicines have clear indication, maximum dose, and review dates.
- Homely remedies and OTC use follow policy; stock stored safely.
- Medicines errors recorded with learning actions closed or in progress.
Safeguarding
- Staff can describe how to raise a safeguarding concern without delay.
- Recent referrals logged with multi-agency contact records where applicable.
- Training compliance for safeguarding and MCA roles.
Staffing and training
- Mandatory training matrix up to date for roles on shift today.
- Supervisions within policy frequency with recorded actions.
- Induction and competency checks for new starters and agency staff.
Care plans and risk
- Support plans linked to risk assessments and daily records.
- Nutrition, hydration, and pressure area care addressed where relevant.
- Behaviour support and restrictive practices reviewed with least-restrictive rationale.
Evidence folder
- Safe: staffing levels, dependency tools, agency usage rationale.
- Effective: care planning, audits, outcomes and feedback.
- Caring: dignity, choice, and involvement records.
- Responsive: complaints, safeguarding, end-of-life wishes.
- Well-led: governance pack, CQC notifications, improvement plan.
Quick action plan
Log gaps as you walk the service. Add more rows on a separate sheet if needed.
| Gap found | Action needed | Owner | Due date | Evidence added |
|---|---|---|---|---|