Audit Angel CQC

Guide · Updated October 2026

The 34 CQC quality statements, and the evidence inspectors look for.

Every CQC quality statement under the five key questions, with the regulations behind it, what inspectors look for in your type of service, the questions they ask staff, and free audit templates that evidence it.

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CQC is changing its framework. In 2026 CQC consulted on new sector-specific frameworks that replace the 34 quality statements with key lines of enquiry, expected towards the end of 2026. Until they take effect, inspections use the statements below, and most of the topics carry over. What's changing · Get an email when it's out

Key question 1 of 5

Safe: 8 quality statements

People are protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

Learning culture

Safe · Reg 12, 17, 20

What inspectors look for

  • Incident log with learning and actions taken
  • Duty of candour records
  • Learning shared at team meetings
What this looks like in your type of service
  • GP practices: Significant event analyses with learning
  • Dental practices: Incident reporting including near misses
  • Care homes: Incident trends reviewed monthly
  • Home care: Incident trends reviewed monthly
  • Independent clinics: Incidents and complications reviewed with learning
  • Online providers: Incidents, complaints and returns reviewed together

A question inspectors may ask staff

“Tell me about an incident here and what changed afterwards.”

A good answer covers:

  • It was reported and logged
  • It was reviewed
  • Learning was shared
  • A specific change was made

Free templates that evidence it

Safeguarding

Safe · Reg 13

What inspectors look for

  • Named safeguarding lead and training by role
  • Safeguarding log with referrals and outcomes
What this looks like in your type of service
  • Independent clinics: Chaperone policy and use recorded; Age and identity checks before treatment
  • Online providers: Identity and age verification; Flags for vulnerable patients in remote consultations
  • GP practices: Registers for children and adults at risk reviewed in meetings; Training levels by role (L1–L3)
  • Dental practices: Was-not-brought process for children; Safeguarding lead and training
  • Care homes: Local authority referrals tracked to outcome; DoLS applications and authorisations tracked
  • Home care: Missed and late visits reviewed for neglect risk; Referrals tracked to outcome

A question inspectors may ask staff

“What would you do if you suspected a person using the service was being abused or neglected?”

A good answer covers:

  • Keep the person safe
  • Tell the safeguarding lead or manager
  • Record exactly what you saw or heard
  • Refer externally if needed
  • Do not investigate yourself

Free templates that evidence it

Involving people to manage risks

Safe · Reg 9, 12

What inspectors look for

  • Individual risk assessments agreed with people
  • Positive risk-taking recorded

Free templates that evidence it

Safe environments

Safe · Reg 12, 15

What inspectors look for

  • Fire risk assessment and checks
  • Equipment servicing and checks
What this looks like in your type of service
  • Independent clinics: Emergency equipment checks; Laser or IPL safety arrangements where used
  • Online providers: Platform security, uptime and business continuity
  • GP practices: Emergency equipment and oxygen checks; Fire risk assessment
  • Dental practices: Radiation protection file and X-ray equipment tests; Emergency kit checks
  • Care homes: Fire drills, legionella, hoists (LOLER); Personal evacuation plans
  • Home care: Home environment risk assessments

A question inspectors may ask staff

“What happens here in a medical emergency?”

A good answer covers:

  • Raise the alarm
  • Where the emergency equipment is
  • Staff are trained
  • Equipment is checked regularly

Free templates that evidence it

Safe and effective staffing

Safe · Reg 18, 19

What inspectors look for

  • Recruitment files with checks
  • Training matrix and supervision records
What this looks like in your type of service
  • Independent clinics: Practising privileges files: registration, indemnity, revalidation; Competence checks for visiting clinicians
  • Online providers: Prescriber registration and indemnity checks; Caseload limits per prescriber
  • GP practices: Recruitment files (DBS, registration, indemnity); Supervision of ARRS and new roles
  • Dental practices: GDC registration and indemnity checks; Dental nurse training records
  • Care homes: Dependency tool linked to rotas; Agency staff induction
  • Home care: Rota capacity against visits, including travel time; Spot checks and supervisions

Free templates that evidence it

Infection prevention and control

Safe · Reg 12

What inspectors look for

  • IPC audits and actions
  • Cleaning schedules
What this looks like in your type of service
  • Independent clinics: Decontamination and clinical waste records; IPC audit for treatment rooms
  • Online providers: IPC applies to any physical premises and dispatch
  • GP practices: Annual IPC statement; Cleaning schedules and sharps management
  • Dental practices: Decontamination audit (HTM 01-05) every six months; Water line management
  • Care homes: IPC audits and outbreak log; Laundry and cleaning schedules
  • Home care: PPE supply and spot checks in people's homes

A question inspectors may ask staff

“How do you prevent infections spreading?”

A good answer covers:

  • Hand hygiene
  • PPE
  • Cleaning schedules
  • Regular IPC audits

Free templates that evidence it

Medicines optimisation

Safe · Reg 12

What inspectors look for

  • Medicines audits
  • Medicines incidents and learning
What this looks like in your type of service
  • Independent clinics: Prescribing audit, including any remote prescribing; Stock, cold chain and controlled drugs records
  • Online providers: Prescribing decisions audited against remote prescribing guidance; Weight, BMI and identity verification where required
  • GP practices: High-risk drug monitoring searches; Structured medication reviews; prescription stationery security
  • Dental practices: Emergency drugs and oxygen checked weekly; Antimicrobial prescribing audit
  • Care homes: Monthly MAR chart audits; PRN protocols; covert medicines with best-interest records
  • Home care: eMAR exceptions reviewed; Medicines competency checks for care workers

Free templates that evidence it

Key question 2 of 5

Effective: 6 quality statements

Care, treatment and support achieve good outcomes, help people keep a good quality of life and are based on the best available evidence.

Assessing needs

Effective · Reg 9

What inspectors look for

  • Initial assessments that cover health, social and communication needs

Evidence it

Record your evidence for this statement, with review dates, in the free workspace. Expired evidence shows as a gap.

Delivering evidence-based care and treatment

Effective · Reg 9, 12

What inspectors look for

  • Protocols linked to current guidance (NICE, professional bodies)

Free templates that evidence it

How staff, teams and services work together

Effective · Reg 9, 12

What inspectors look for

  • Multi-disciplinary or partner communication records

Evidence it

Record your evidence for this statement, with review dates, in the free workspace. Expired evidence shows as a gap.

Supporting people to live healthier lives

Effective · Reg 9

What inspectors look for

  • Health promotion and screening information

Free templates that evidence it

Monitoring and improving outcomes

Effective · Reg 17

What inspectors look for

  • Clinical or care audits with re-audit
  • Outcome data reviewed by leaders
What this looks like in your type of service
  • Independent clinics: Complication and outcome audit; Patient-reported outcomes after treatment
  • Online providers: Prescribing audit with re-audit; Adverse event review
  • GP practices: Clinical audits with re-audit; Screening and recall uptake
  • Dental practices: Radiograph quality audit; Record-keeping audit
  • Care homes: Falls, pressure ulcers and weight loss trends
  • Home care: Missed calls and hospital admissions reviewed

Free templates that evidence it

Consent to care and treatment

Effective · Reg 11

What inspectors look for

  • Consent records
  • Mental Capacity Act assessments where needed
What this looks like in your type of service
  • Independent clinics: Written consent with risks and alternatives; Cooling-off period for cosmetic procedures
  • Online providers: Informed consent for remote assessment and prescribing
  • GP practices: Consent for procedures; Gillick competence
  • Dental practices: Treatment plans with options and costs
  • Care homes: MCA assessments and best-interest decisions
  • Home care: Consent to care recorded and reviewed

A question inspectors may ask staff

“How do you know a person using the service has agreed to their care or treatment?”

A good answer covers:

  • You explain and ask
  • Assume capacity; assess if in doubt
  • Best-interest decision if they lack capacity
  • Consent is recorded

Free templates that evidence it

See which of the 34 you can evidence today.

The free workspace scores your evidence against every quality statement and shows the gaps on a heatmap.

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Key question 3 of 5

Caring: 5 quality statements

Staff involve people and treat them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.

Kindness, compassion and dignity

Caring · Reg 10

What inspectors look for

  • Feedback about being treated with kindness and dignity
  • Chaperone and privacy arrangements

Free templates that evidence it

Treating people as individuals

Caring · Reg 9, 10

What inspectors look for

  • Care plans that reflect preferences and culture

Evidence it

Record your evidence for this statement, with review dates, in the free workspace. Expired evidence shows as a gap.

Responding to people's immediate needs

Caring · Reg 9, 10

What inspectors look for

  • How pain, distress or discomfort is noticed and acted on

Evidence it

Record your evidence for this statement, with review dates, in the free workspace. Expired evidence shows as a gap.

Key question 4 of 5

Responsive: 7 quality statements

Services meet people's needs.

Person-centred care

Responsive · Reg 9

What inspectors look for

  • Person-centred plans reviewed with the person

Free templates that evidence it

Providing information

Responsive · Reg 9

What inspectors look for

  • Accessible Information Standard: needs recorded and met
  • Clear information on costs and services
What this looks like in your type of service
  • Independent clinics: Clear prices and what is included before treatment
  • Online providers: Clear information about the service limits and when to see a GP
  • GP practices: Accessible Information Standard flags in records
  • Dental practices: NHS and private fees displayed
  • Care homes: Information in accessible formats for residents
  • Home care: Care plan copy in the person's home

Free templates that evidence it

Listening to and involving people

Responsive · Reg 16, 17

What inspectors look for

  • Complaints log with responses and learning
  • Feedback acted on, and people told what changed

Free templates that evidence it

Equity in access

Responsive · Reg 9

What inspectors look for

  • Reasonable adjustments; access for people who face barriers

Evidence it

Record your evidence for this statement, with review dates, in the free workspace. Expired evidence shows as a gap.

Equity in experiences and outcomes

Responsive · Reg 9, 17

What inspectors look for

  • Outcomes or feedback compared across groups

Evidence it

Record your evidence for this statement, with review dates, in the free workspace. Expired evidence shows as a gap.

Planning for the future

Responsive · Reg 9

What inspectors look for

  • Advance care planning and end-of-life wishes where relevant

Evidence it

Record your evidence for this statement, with review dates, in the free workspace. Expired evidence shows as a gap.

Key question 5 of 5

Well-led: 8 quality statements

Leadership, management and governance make sure the service provides high-quality, person-centred care, supports learning and innovation, and promotes an open, fair culture.

Shared direction and culture

Well-led · Reg 17

What inspectors look for

  • Vision and values known by staff

Evidence it

Record your evidence for this statement, with review dates, in the free workspace. Expired evidence shows as a gap.

Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders

Well-led · Reg 17, 19

What inspectors look for

  • Fit and proper person checks for leaders
  • Leadership development

Evidence it

Record your evidence for this statement, with review dates, in the free workspace. Expired evidence shows as a gap.

Freedom to speak up

Well-led · Reg 17

What inspectors look for

  • Speak-up route staff know and trust
  • Concerns raised and outcomes

A question inspectors may ask staff

“How would you raise a concern if your manager did not act on it?”

A good answer covers:

  • Use the speak-up or whistleblowing route
  • You can go to CQC
  • It can be confidential
  • You will not be punished for raising it

Free templates that evidence it

Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion

Well-led · Reg 17

What inspectors look for

  • Workforce EDI data and actions

Evidence it

Record your evidence for this statement, with review dates, in the free workspace. Expired evidence shows as a gap.

Partnerships and communities

Well-led · Reg 17

What inspectors look for

  • Work with local partners and community

Evidence it

Record your evidence for this statement, with review dates, in the free workspace. Expired evidence shows as a gap.

Learning, improvement and innovation

Well-led · Reg 17

What inspectors look for

  • Improvement plan with progress

Evidence it

Record your evidence for this statement, with review dates, in the free workspace. Expired evidence shows as a gap.

Environmental sustainability

Well-led · Reg 17

What inspectors look for

  • Sustainability actions (waste, energy, travel)

Evidence it

Record your evidence for this statement, with review dates, in the free workspace. Expired evidence shows as a gap.

This guide summarises CQC's Single Assessment Framework as of October 2026. It does not replace CQC's guidance: always check cqc.org.uk for the full wording. Audit Angel CQC is not affiliated with the Care Quality Commission.

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Questions

About the CQC quality statements

What are the CQC quality statements?

They are the 34 commitments CQC uses to assess health and social care services under its Single Assessment Framework. Each sits under one of the five key questions (safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led) and says what good care looks like, written from the provider's point of view ("We…").

How many CQC quality statements are there?

There are 34: 8 under Safe, 6 under Effective, 5 under Caring, 7 under Responsive and 8 under Well-led.

What are the five CQC key questions?

Is the service safe, effective, caring, responsive to people's needs, and well-led? CQC rates each key question as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate, and then gives an overall rating.

Are the quality statements changing?

Yes. In 2026 CQC consulted on new sector-specific assessment frameworks that replace the 34 quality statements with key lines of enquiry, and said it expects to bring them in towards the end of 2026. Until the new framework takes effect, CQC assesses against the current one. The five key questions and the four ratings stay the same, and most of the topics carry over, so the evidence on this page stays useful. Check cqc.org.uk for the current position.

How do I evidence a quality statement?

CQC looks at six types of evidence: people's experience, feedback from staff and leaders, feedback from partners, observation, processes and outcomes. For most statements that means current policies and records, regular audits with actions, feedback from people and staff, and staff who can explain how things work.

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