If you plan on running a business in the care industry, it is your legal requirement to register your services with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). As the regulator for the industry, registering with the CQC helps to ensure the care you provide is safe, of high quality, and delivered with dignity.
But just how long does CQC registration take? And what does the application process entail?
As a domiciliary care franchise, explore this and more in our blog below. Read on to find out how long registering with the CQC takes, what the process of CQC compliance involves, and the factors that affect the timeline of your application process…
What is the CQC?
The CQC is the regulator of businesses and organisations providing health and social care services in England. Established in 2009, the CQC’s main role is to ensure that care businesses within the country are of high quality and provide effective and safe services.
The body does this by closely monitoring and inspecting services on a regular basis. Compromising on the quality of care could mean compromising on an individual’s safety, so it’s of utmost importance that businesses and organisations within the industry take their compliance seriously.
Do I have to register my franchise with the CQC?
Yes, if you decide to join a home care franchise such as Bridgewater Home Care, you will need to ensure you have registered with the CQC. Failure to do so is a serious violation of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, specifically, Section 10(1), which mandates registration for regulated activities and is considered a criminal offense with penalties such as an unlimited fine, a community order, or up to 12 months in prison.
So…how long does CQC registration take?
According to Quality Compliance Systems, CQC registration can take up to 10 weeks – specifically in reference to the timeline of making a decision. But in reality, this length of time can vary depending on several different factors.
Factors that affect the length of your CQC application process
As mentioned, there are a number of factors that might affect the length of time it takes for your CQC application process to be complete. These include:
Additional checks
If your home care business provides complex services – including those involving controlled drugs or hazardous substances, it can take longer as the CQC might need to perform additional checks. For example, your business might need to obtain a certain license to allow you to conduct such activities.
Incomplete applications and slow responses
Another factor that might affect the length of time it takes for your registration to be accepted is if the application is incomplete. Moreover, if you fail to respond to the CQC when they ask further questions or take a long time to do so, this could slow down your application.
Lack of cooperation with the CQC
Finally, if you fail to cooperate with the CQC when they ask for additional documents or checks – such as not allowing them to visit your premises or failing to provide documents – this will uphold the completion of your application.
What is the CQC registration process?
The CQC application process involves four main steps, such as:
Prepare for your application and submission
The first step in the process is preparing for your application, which can take up to a month. First, you’ll need to obtain a DBS check for the main point of contact for your company. Put simply, this verifies this individual is who they say they are.
Next, you’ll need to assign a registered manager, but only if you aren’t in charge of daily operations. For example, this person will manage staff within your care business and ensure they have the appropriate training and support. Finally, you need to ensure you have all the correct documents (think policies, procedures, and compliance evidence) to show when the CQC visits your site. When all this is done, you can submit your application.
Assessment of application review from CQC
The next stage of the process can take up to two months and is all in the hands of the CQC. Essentially, the regulatory body will review your submitted application and check everything is up to their standards. They might ask for additional information, so be ready to respond when necessary.
Furthermore, they’ll evaluate the evidence you have provided and check the care you plan on providing is of high-quality, compliant with CQC’s standards, and ultimately effective. They may also organise visits to your premises or inspections during this time.
Your interview and final decision
In the event the CQC needs to arrange site visits, interviews, and further inspections – this will be the last part of the process, and can take up to a month depending on the complexity of the situation.
These visits might involve you, your registered manager, and anyone else relevant to the application.
How does Bridgewater Home Care help franchisees with their CQC registration?
Bridgewater Home Care understands the importance of CQC compliance. But we also recognise that not every one of our franchisees will be familiar with the CQC registration process, that’s why we help our franchisees to do so by:
CQC training programme
Bridgewater Home Care offers a full CQC training programme where we provide training to new franchisees on who the CQC are, the regulations, and how to ensure compliance at all times.
Final checks on the CQC application
What’s more, Bridgewater will work tirelessly with franchisees to ensure their CQC registration application is accurate and will be accepted by the CQC – without the need for additional clarifications or error correction requests from the CQC. And we also provide final checks on a CQC application prior to submission too.
Expert policies and procedures, vetted by an ex-CQC inspector
Whilst we assist in communications between a franchisee and the CQC to ensure that the registration process does not have any unnecessary delays, our franchisees can get to work implementing our ready-made policies and procedures. These have all been vetted by an ex-CQC inspector to ensure compliance with CQC standards.
Regular audits and mock inspections
Bridgewater holds regular audits and conducts on-site mock CQC inspections to ensure that franchisees feel confident that their business is compliant, as well as being in a position to achieve at least ‘Good’ in all areas. Although we always aim for ‘Outstanding’!
How to minimise delays in the CQC registration process
To minimise delays in the CQC application process, take the following steps:
Provide accurate information
To minimise delays in your CQC registration, ensure all the information you have provided is up-to-date and completely accurate. The best way to ensure this is by having multiple people associated with your business check over your application as well as the documents you provide.
Prioritise health and safety
It’s vital you make it clear that your care business’s main aim is to prioritise your clients’ health and safety at all times. Providing high-quality services is the key criterion of the CQC’s assessment, so demonstrate this in your processes and ensure staff are more than aware of your procedures too.
Prepare thoroughly
Finally, ensure you prepare your application thoroughly. Make sure your application is only submitted once everything is in place. To secure the safety of your business, ensure you have conducted risk assessments to identify potential hazards that could cause a risk of harm. If there are any, put measures in place to control, mitigate, or remove them.
Get in touch with Bridgewater Home Care to take part in a low-risk, high-reward business opportunity
Looking to take part in an exciting, high-reward business opportunity in the care industry? If so, joining Bridgewater Home Care’s franchise might be the right proposition for you.
Bridgewater’s team of experts is ready and waiting to take you on this exciting franchise journey, providing you with access to our established branding and successful business model. Plus, you’ll be provided with:
- Mentorship training from our founder, Phil – a former franchisee who knows the industry back-to-front
- Bespoke software to make your life much easier
- Marketing resources to get the word out about your territory
- Online systems so you can work anywhere
- And much more!
Want more information? Get in touch with us today by enquiring on our contact form.
