Setting up a new health or social care service is an exciting milestone, but registering with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) can be a complex and sometimes daunting process. At BAXCQC, we’ve helped many providers successfully achieve registration and avoid common pitfalls that can lead to costly delays or even refusal. Whether you’re opening a new clinic, care home, or domiciliary care agency, here are the top
5 mistakes we see new providers make – and how to avoid them.
Many new providers believe registration is simply a formality, but the CQC expects robust evidence that you can meet the Fundamental Standards from day one. Incomplete policies, vague procedures, or lack of evidence around safeguarding, governance, and staffing are red flags. Prepare early and ensure you can demonstrate compliance before you submit your application. Policies must reference legislation and regulations, and they must demonstrate how you will meet these in your policy documents. They are not a tik box exercise and the registration inspector will review these thoroughly.
Your Statement of Purpose is a legal requirement and central to your registration. Common errors include unclear descriptions, missing regulated activities, or not specifying the types of services and locations. Make sure your Statement is clear, detailed, and fully aligned with your proposed service model.
Selecting an inexperienced or unsuitable Registered Manager is a frequent cause of rejection. The CQC expects managers to have relevant qualifications, sector experience, and a deep understanding of compliance. Invest in developing your manager and ensure their CV and supporting evidence clearly demonstrate capability and fitness. There is some useful information on the CQC site about regulation 5 and who is a Fit and Proper Person for this purpose. It is worth taking some time to consider who will take on this role and contrary to what many believe they do not need to be a clinical to run a clinical service. More guidance on this can be found here.
Simple mistakes like missing signatures, incomplete forms, incorrect date format or missing mandatory documents (such as DBS checks or references) – can set your registration back by weeks. Use the CQC’s application checklist and double-check all supporting evidence before submission to avoid this being returned to you.
It’s essential that both leaders and frontline staff understand the CQC’s Fundamental Standards and regulatory framework. Too often, new providers rely on templates or last-minute training. Ensure all team members understand what’s expected – from person-centred care to record-keeping and incident management.
Registering with the CQC is your first step to delivering safe, high-quality care. Avoiding these common mistakes will help ensure a smooth and successful process. If you need guidance, support, or a pre-registration check, our experts at BAXCQC are here to help. Contact us for an initial discussion or visit our CQC registration page to find out more.