Actions after 1st Stage approval
Congratulations on passing the first stage of your CQC registration. This is where the CQC has reviewed all your evidence and informed you that your application has been forwarded to the regional team in preparation for your fit-person (face-to-face) interview. From here, the official guidance is that the next stage takes about 10 weeks until the actual interview. However, this process is currently taking longer than expected.
Be Proactive
We recommend that you start proactively by preparing thoroughly to ensure you are well-prepared. It is your responsibility to demonstrate to the CQC that there is demand for your service and you will be able to run it safely and effectively.
Make sure you complete all essential preparations for your business, including registering with HMRC and meeting local authority requirements. However, your focus should not be solely on CQC registration. You could easily set yourself up to fail by overly concentrating on getting CQC registered.
Your focus should also be on other activities that will enable you to hit the ground running as soon as you receive your registration. You may get clients as soon as you register.
Some questions for you:
- What will happen if you get a client but lack staff?
- How will you operate safely and effectively without training or systems in place?
- This will be a significant missed opportunity if you are not prepared. Therefore, it is wise to start getting your business ready!
Location Readiness, Resources
Work on your readiness, ensuring your location and resources are ready. For example, if you have applied for supported living, ensure you have a property ready. Ensure you have worked with others, such as landlords, to carry out risk assessments and meet requirements such as the real tenancy test. For clients applying for ambulance services, ensure you have the vehicles ready. They should meet DVLA requirements, such as having an MOT if over three years old. Ensure all insurances are in place.
Recruitment
Consider starting to recruit your staff in accordance with safer recruitment procedures. Ensure that your staff are fully trained, or that arrangements are in place for all essential training. Local authorities usually like to see training plans and matrixes in order to access tenders.
Policies and procedures
This will be an ideal opportunity to summarise and gain a clearer understanding of your policies. You do not need to focus on memorising, as the CCQ inspector may doubt your knowledge and competency if you act like a robot. They can then counter your strategy with scenario-based questions.
Create a strategy of using examples to illustrate your experience, knowledge, and understanding of the questions. When offering examples, avoid using parables.
Provide clear, meaningful examples that leave no doubt about your understanding of the question. Minimise reading time, as inspectors are well-trained and can sense when you are reading.
Network Opportunities
While waiting for your interview, consider participating in network activities. There are several care roadshows and specific events for conditions such as autism, learning disability, dementia and mental health.
Make sure to mix and match opportunities to maximise your exposure and gain valuable information and contacts. Not all networking opportunities require payment.
Website, Brand Identity and Marketing
If you haven't established your online presence yet, make sure to do so. Your website will be a valuable tool for recruiting, sharing information, and marketing your services. It usually takes about three months for your site to appear fully in search engine results. Your website should be registered on Google Local Ads and fully optimised. You can also create marketing materials, such as leaflets or posters, to boost your brand identity. Also, consider signing up on tender websites and other useful portals.
Ensure compliance with other regulators
Ensure you have the health and safety poster to display within your workplace. You should also register with the Information Commissioner. Carry out all essential risk assessments, such as fire and premises.
Training
Please ensure that you complete the latest mandatory training. Confirm that your safeguarding lead has at least a Level 3 qualification in safeguarding. The medication and infection control leads should have appropriate qualifications to match their responsibilities.
Make sure the management and staff have the right skills and experience to deliver your services safely and effectively. If you're providing specialised services, like dementia, sensory, or autism support, ensure your management and team have extra training beyond the mandatory training. Also, ensure you have the policies and procedures in place to support your practice.
Unregulated Activities
If you haven't already, consider offering additional unregulated services such as shopping, cleaning, companionship, and befriending. This will help you start generating some income and establish a strong foundation for growing your business, as care hours can be limited and hard to secure. The aim is to position yourself for growth and avoid frustration if care contracts take time to develop.