Top Tips – How to Prepare for a Successful CQC Registration Interview
Preparing for a registration interview with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is a critical step in becoming a registered provider, manager, or nominated individual of a health or social care service in England.
Here Designated Medical’s CQC Compliance Consultant, Gabi Ashton, shares her expertise on ‘How to Prepare for a Successful CQC Registration Interview.’
The interview is designed to assess your suitability, knowledge, and readiness to operate a service that meets the CQC’s regulatory requirements and fundamental standards.
A successful interview not only demonstrates your understanding of relevant legislation and best practices, but also your commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred care. Careful preparation will help you approach the interview with confidence and clarity.
How to be ‘Interview Ready’ – what you need:
- Have your ID and DBS Certificate to hand.
- Have a copy of your CQC application form, including your Statement of Purpose which outlines your Regulatory Conditions and the Roles and Responsibilities you have applied for.
- Be confident with the Notification Requirements (Registration Regulations 2009).
- Be self-assured with the Fundamental Standards, Key Questions and Quality Statements (Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014) (always suggest using a blank sheet, to ensure they have been discussed as they work through your examples).
Prepare for a STAR! Using the STAR method is a great approach to ensure clear, structured responses that demonstrate your competence:
S – situation
T – task
A – action
R – result
The Importance of Demonstrating Five Quality Statements
It is vital to include the following:
- People and communities are always at the centre of how care is planned and delivered.
- The health and care needs of people and communities are understood, and they are actively involved in planning care that meets these needs.
- Care, support and treatment is easily accessible, including physical access. People can access care in ways that meet their personal circumstances and protected equality characteristics.
- People, those who support them, and staff can easily access information, advice and advocacy. This supports them in managing and understanding their care and treatment.
- There is partnership working to make sure that care and treatment meets the diverse needs of communities. People are encouraged to give feedback, which is acted upon and used to deliver improvements.
Interview Questions – ‘Safe’ Examples:
- What would you do on a home visit if there was an incident?
- After a serious incident has taken place, what steps will you follow?
- How would you investigate an allegation of abuse? What areas are within your remit to address and what areas are not?
- How do you work with people to understand and manage risk as independently as possible?
- Can you give examples of classes of medications you would prescribe?
- What processes are in place to ensure all premises and equipment used are kept clean, secure, suitable, and used properly?
Summary:
Take the time to learn the legislation that underpins the CQC.
Registration is key – you need to be confident with how you will demonstrate compliance in line with the Fundamental Standards. You must show that your approach is bespoke and not ‘off the shelf’.
Don’t stop learning and improving once you are registered!
Next steps…
Speak to the Designated Medical Team
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