How do care providers achieve ‘Outstanding’ CQC compliance?

Lewis Normoyle

24-02-2025

How do care providers achieve ‘Outstanding’ CQC compliance?

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From risk management to training and policies, learn how care providers can streamline compliance, reduce admin burden, and excel in CQC inspections.

Care providers across the UK work tirelessly to deliver safe, effective, and high-quality care. While earning a ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is commendable, achieving ‘Outstanding’ status requires more than meeting the basic regulatory requirements; it demands a proactive compliance strategy integrating training, policies, and risk management into everyday operations.

In this blog, Lewis explores the key strategies that helped one care provider achieve an ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating and how an integrated compliance management approach was crucial to their success.

Understanding CQC compliance - What inspectors look for

CQC inspections are crucial in evaluating care services' quality, safety, and effectiveness. These assessments ensure that organisations meet regulatory requirements and provide high-quality, person-centred care that promotes dignity, respect, and positive outcomes for service users.

The CQC inspects services against five key areas outlined in the Single Assessment Framework to determine compliance with fundamental care standards. These areas focus on whether the organisation is:

1. Is it safe?

Are risks effectively managed to protect service users and staff? Inspectors assess:

Robust safeguarding measures to protect vulnerable individuals.
Effective infection control procedures to prevent harm.
Incident reporting systems to track and address safety concerns.

2. Is it effective?

Is care evidence-based and delivered by competent professionals? This includes:

Compliance with statutory and mandatory training for all staff.
Ongoing professional development to enhance competency.
Adherence to clinical best practices and care standards.

3. Is it caring?

Do staff provide compassionate, person-centred care? Inspectors look for:

Respect for dignity and individual needs.
Positive feedback from service users and families.
A culture of empathy and emotional support.

4. Is it responsive?

How well does the organisation adapt to the needs of service users? Key areas include:

Efficient care planning and personalised services.
Timely response to complaints and feedback.
Flexibility in meeting diverse care requirements.

5. Is it well-led?

Does leadership drive compliance, governance, and continuous improvement? This involves:

Strong management structures and accountability.
A culture of compliance embedded into daily practice.
Proactive oversight and regular self-assessments.

Many providers maintain a ‘Good’ rating, but moving towards ‘Outstanding’ requires a proactive compliance approach that integrates:

Risk management and continuous monitoring
Seamless training and policy updates
Data-driven leadership strategies.

Without a structured compliance system, ensuring consistency, demonstrating progress, and preparing for CQC inspections can become overwhelming.

How a care provider moved from ‘Good’ to ‘Outstanding’

One provider we worked with realised that traditional compliance methods - paper-based policies, last-minute training, and disconnected processes - weren’t enough. They needed a structured, technology-driven compliance strategy to streamline their operations.

Here’s how they transformed their approach and achieved CQC excellence:

Transforming workforce training and development

One of the biggest challenges in care settings is ensuring staff remain compliant with statutory and mandatory training requirements.

What they did:

Shifted from manual tracking to the ComplyPlus™ Learning Management System (LMS), ensuring real-time compliance visibility.
Implemented role-specific learning pathways, ensuring every staff member had the right training.
Automated training reminders and tracking, reducing missed deadlines.
Provided sector-specific e-learning modules tailored to health and social care needs.

By implementing an LMS, training compliance became seamless and automated, significantly reducing administrative workload.

Strengthening policy and procedure management

Policies and procedures must be easily accessible, up to date, and aligned with CQC’s Single Assessment Framework.

What they did:

Centralised all policies in the ComplyPlus™ Policy & Document Repository, ensuring easy access for all staff.
Used pre-built, customisable policy templates, ensuring full CQC compliance.
Introduced automated version control, keeping audit-ready records of policy updates.

With a structured policy management system, staff always had access to the most current policies - eliminating confusion and compliance risks.

Proactive risk and incident management

Instead of reacting to risks when they occur, the provider implemented a preventative risk management strategy.

What they did:

Introduced automated risk assessments with ComplyPlus™, flagging potential compliance issues early
Set up a streamlined incident reporting system, enabling real-time tracking of risks.
Conducted regular self-audits and compliance checks, ensuring they were always prepared for inspections.

By proactively managing risks, the provider improved overall safety and maintained continuous compliance with CQC regulations.

Embedding leadership and compliance culture

Compliance must be led from the top and integrated into the organisation’s daily operations.

What they did:

Used ComplyPlus™ compliance dashboards, giving leadership instant access to training, policy, and audit data.
Shifted inspection readiness from a last-minute rush to an ongoing process.
Embedded data-driven decision-making, allowing leaders to address gaps before inspections.

Compliance became a leadership tool, driving improvements across the entire organisation.

The results - From compliance challenges to CQC excellence

By adopting these best practices, the care provider achieved:

100% compliance with statutory and mandatory training
Seamless policy and risk management processes
Stronger governance and leadership accountability
A smooth, stress-free CQC inspection experience.

Most importantly, these improvements led to better care quality, a safer environment, and enhanced staff confidence, key factors in earning an ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating.

Key takeaways for care providers

CQC compliance should be embedded into daily practice - not just an inspection-day priority.
Proactive training, policies, and risk management significantly impact achieving excellence.
Digital compliance solutions streamline processes, reduce admin workload, and improve inspection readiness.

For many providers, managing compliance manually is time-consuming and inefficient. By leveraging innovative compliance tools, care providers can focus on what truly matters - delivering outstanding care.

Conclusion

Achieving an ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating requires more than meeting the minimum compliance standards - it demands a proactive, integrated approach to risk management, training, and policies. By leveraging digital compliance solutions like ComplyPlus™, care providers can streamline processes, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure continuous improvement. With the right tools and a commitment to excellence, organisations can create safer environments, enhance staff confidence, and ultimately deliver high-quality care that stands out in CQC inspections.

Discover how ComplyPlus™ can help you achieve ‘Outstanding’ compliance

Ready to take your compliance strategy to the next level? ComplyPlus™ simplifies regulatory compliance for care providers with:

Learning Management System (LMS) - Automates training compliance.
Training Management System (TMS) - Manages staff training and development.
Policy and document repository - Ensures easy access to up-to-date policies.
Risk management and self-audit tools - Enables proactive compliance tracking.

Transform your compliance process today! Fill in this form or contact us at +44 24 7610 0090 to learn how ComplyPlus™ can support your organisation in overcoming compliance challenges and improving outcomes.

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About the author

Lewis Normoyle

Lewis has been instrumental in shaping our success from inception. His journey through various business units and international teams highlights his invaluable experience and business acumen. In his essential role overseeing operations, Lewis’s precision and efficiency stand out, ensuring smooth and effective processes throughout the organisation.