CQC compliance resources for care providers
The CQC fundamental standards in plain English, a free checklist to print, and practical guides to help your team be ready for inspection every day.
Fundamental standards
The 14 CQC fundamental standards
The CQC fundamental standards are the standards below which care must never fall. Here they are in plain English, with the training and free resources that help your team meet them.
Person-centred care
Care and treatment tailored to the person, meeting their needs and preferences.
Visiting and accompanying
People can have visitors, and support to go out or be accompanied to appointments.
Dignity and respect
Treated with dignity and respect at all times, including privacy and equality.
Consent
Consent is given before any care or treatment, by the person or someone acting for them.
Safety
No unsafe care or treatment. Risks are assessed and staff are competent to keep people safe.
Safeguarding from abuse
No abuse or improper treatment, including neglect or disproportionate restraint.
Food and drink
Enough to eat and drink to stay in good health during care.
Premises and equipment
Clean, suitable, secure and well-maintained premises and equipment.
Complaints
People can complain, with a system to investigate thoroughly and act on concerns.
Good governance
Effective governance and systems to check quality and safety and drive improvement.
Staffing
Enough suitably qualified, competent staff, with training, supervision and support.
Fit and proper staff
Robust recruitment and relevant checks, including DBS and work history.
Duty of candour
Open and transparent: tell people when something goes wrong, support them and apologise.
Display of ratings
Display the CQC rating on site and online, with the latest report available.
CQC fundamental standards checklistAll 14 standards with a tick box for each. PDF, 1 page. Free to use in your service.
Download the PDFThis is a quick-reference summary. Always check the current CQC guidance for the full detail. Source: Care Quality Commission, The fundamental standards (last updated 3 March 2026, checked 17 September 2026).
Guides
Be ready for inspection every day
Practical guides from our blog for managers and care teams.
Stop preparing for CQC inspections: how to be ready every day
CQC won’t tell you when it’s coming. Here’s how care services can be ready every day, not just when they hear an inspection is due, and what’s changing at CQC in 2026.
Read the guide →
The hardest safeguarding cases rarely begin with evidence
How care staff can spot the small signs, why people don’t always tell, and what to do before you’re certain.
Read the guide →Related training
Training that supports CQC compliance
All our courses are delivered on-site, anywhere in the UK. We can combine several subjects into one visit.
Audit Management
Half day (3 hours)Complete care audits effectively, so you can check quality and act on what you find.
View courseCare Planning & Person-Centred Care
Half day (3 hours)Develop, deliver and review person-centred care plans, in line with current legislation and best practice.
View courseWorkplace Culture
Half day (3 hours)Understand what shapes workplace culture, and lead, communicate and promote inclusion in line with CQC expectations.
View courseSafer Recruitment
Half day (3 hours)Understand the safer recruitment process, from checks to the right people in the right roles.
View courseBuild a CQC-ready training plan for your team
Tell us your service type and where you want to strengthen, and we’ll put together the right mix of courses, delivered on-site.