Select the area you are interested in to view the relevant standards:

Care Quality Commission

Once you have found a suitable home and have agreed a price with the vendors it is advisable to contact Care Quality Commission (with the owners’ permission) and request the application pack.

This can also be downloaded from the internet by visiting www.cqc.org.uk

Click here to search for a regional office on the care standards website www.carestandards.org.uk.


What Does the Registration Process Involve?
Under the Care Standards Act 2000 all providers of health and social care services must be formally approved and registered with the CQC. The application has 3 elements – the premises, the owners and the manager or person in charge. A non-refundable fee will be charged when your application is submitted; this is usually circa £2,186 with a further £596 for a managers application.

The time taken for registration approval does vary considerably but you should allow around 6-12 weeks from start to finish.

1. Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).
The CQC will check all applicants for registration with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) who will carry out Police, Department of Health and Department of Education and Skills checks. You will need to have received your CRB check before you can submit your application for registration.

2. Completing the Application Forms.
The pack is lengthy and will cover every aspect of the business from measuring the residents’ bedrooms to listing members of staff. You will inevitably need the vendors’ co-operation in completing the application and you may find it useful to request via the agent a meeting with the vendor for this purpose.

3. Taking up References.
Your application will not be processed unless your medical and financial reference is included in the application.

4. The ‘Fit Persons’ Interview
Usually once the references have been received you will be called in for an interview where you will be quizzed on all aspects of the business and your background. You will be expected to show a high level of understanding of the National Minimum Standards and the Care Standards Act. This is usually the final stage of the process and you should be advised shortly after of the outcome of your application.

If the care sector is a completely new venture for you or you don’t feel that you have sufficient knowledge regarding the recently imposed National Minimum Standards, we can steer you through the complete process, offering you as much or as little support as you need in any of the following areas:

• Fit Person’s interview and Assessment Questionnaire
• Overview of your business: Occupancy, Income and Expenditure
• Staffing Models Recruitment Practices

With hands on experience of running a Care Home and with recent experience of inspection under the CQC, we can guide you through the maze!

Should you require an initial discussion to assess your needs we can put you in touch with expert consultants. Please contact us on 01622 817484