THE CONFIDENT C.A.R.E METHODCQC Regulations Explained
What the regulations mean for everyday work in adult social care — connecting statutory expectations with the decisions, conversations and records that shape real practice.
From regulation to reality
The question is not only “Do we have the policy?” It is also “Can we see the principle being applied, and how would we know?” These are reflective prompts for staff, managers and teams; they do not replace statutory guidance or provider governance.
Regulation 9: Person-centred care
Are people’s individual needs and preferences reflected in care plans, daily choices and actual support?
Ask in practice: Do care plans describe what matters to the person, and can staff explain how that shapes their support?
Read official CQC guidance ↗Regulation 9A: Visiting and accompanying
Are people supported to receive visits and to be accompanied where the regulation applies?
Ask in practice: Do local arrangements enable visiting and accompanying without inappropriate blanket restrictions?
Read official CQC guidance ↗Regulation 10: Dignity and respect
Are privacy, independence, autonomy and respectful communication visible in daily practice?
Ask in practice: How would someone recognise dignity in the way support is delivered?
Read official CQC guidance ↗Regulation 11: Need for consent
Do staff seek consent and recognise when a decision requires a decision-specific capacity assessment?
Ask in practice: Is the person involved in decisions and, where necessary, are lawful decision-making arrangements recorded?
Read official CQC guidance ↗Regulation 12: Safe care and treatment
Are foreseeable risks assessed, managed and reviewed without losing sight of people’s choices?
Ask in practice: When a risk changes, what happens to the plan and who follows it up?
Read official CQC guidance ↗Regulation 13: Safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment
Can staff identify abuse, neglect, concerning restrictions and changes in culture, and know how to escalate concerns?
Ask in practice: Is a concern explored and acted upon, not simply recorded and closed?
Read official CQC guidance ↗Regulation 14: Meeting nutritional and hydration needs
Are food, drink, preferences and relevant nutritional needs assessed and met?
Ask in practice: When intake changes, who notices and what action follows?
Read official CQC guidance ↗Regulation 15: Premises and equipment
Are premises and equipment safe, suitable, properly maintained and used appropriately?
Ask in practice: How are defects recorded, escalated and resolved?
Read official CQC guidance ↗Regulation 16: Receiving and acting on complaints
Can people and families raise concerns, and is learning demonstrated after a complaint?
Ask in practice: What changed because someone complained?
Read official CQC guidance ↗Regulation 17: Good governance
Do leaders have reliable oversight of the quality and safety of care, risks, records and service improvement?
Ask in practice: Can leaders demonstrate that written assurances match what happens in practice?
Read official CQC guidance ↗Regulation 18: Staffing
Are there enough suitably skilled, qualified, competent and supported staff for the care people need?
Ask in practice: Does competence show in everyday practice as well as training records?
Read official CQC guidance ↗Regulation 19: Fit and proper persons employed
Are recruitment checks and ongoing fitness and capability considered appropriately?
Ask in practice: How are concerns about suitability identified and addressed?
Read official CQC guidance ↗Regulation 20: Duty of candour
Are relevant incidents handled openly, with the required notifications, explanation, support and apology?
Ask in practice: What happens when something goes wrong, and is communication recorded?
Read official CQC guidance ↗Regulation 20A: Display of performance assessments
Are required CQC ratings displayed in line with the applicable rules?
Ask in practice: Can people and visitors find the current assessment clearly?
Read official CQC guidance ↗Official references
- CQC regulations for providers and managers
- CQC fundamental standards
- Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, as amended
Page prepared October 2026. Check the official sources for later amendments or guidance changes.