CQC Registered Manager Mock Interview Questions & Preparation

CQC may interview a proposed registered manager as part of assessing whether they are fit to manage the regulated activities in their application. This is not an ordinary job interview, and there is no dependable script of questions that guarantees an outcome.

Preparation should focus on understanding the actual service, legal responsibilities and evidence. The practice questions below are themes for reflection, not a claim about the exact questions CQC will ask.

What CQC is assessing

Regulation 7 requires a registered manager to be of good character, able to perform the role, and to have the qualifications, competence, skills and experience needed to manage the regulated activity. CQC also expects applicants to understand care law, its requirements and the needs of the proposed service users.

• Fitness, integrity and relevant work history.
• Knowledge of the regulated activities and registration conditions.
• Capacity to be in genuine day-to-day charge.
• Understanding of the people, risks and service model in the application.
• Ability to lead staff, assure quality and act when care is unsafe.

Practice questions about the proposed service

• Which regulated activities will you manage, and what do they mean in this service?
• Who will use the service, and how will you decide whether you can safely meet their needs?
• How will staffing levels and competencies be determined and reviewed?
• What are the service's most significant risks, and what evidence shows they are controlled?
• How will you remain in day-to-day charge and maintain oversight when you are absent?
• How do the statement of purpose, business plan and policies reflect the same operating model?

Practice questions about safety and people's rights

• What would you do after receiving a safeguarding concern about a staff member?
• How will staff obtain consent and respond when a person may lack capacity for a decision?
• How will you prevent, identify and learn from medicines errors?
• How will complaints be accessible, investigated and used to improve the service?
• What would trigger a CQC notification, duty-of-candour response or external escalation?
• How will equality, dignity, privacy, communication and cultural needs shape care delivery?

Practice questions about leadership and governance

• What information will tell you each week whether the service is safe and effective?
• How will you audit care records, recruitment, training, medicines and incidents?
• How will you challenge poor practice and support staff to improve?
• How will people using the service influence decisions and quality improvement?
• Describe how you would investigate a pattern of missed visits, falls or medication incidents.
• How will you keep your knowledge, policies and team practice current after registration?

A practical preparation method

1. 1Read the complete submitted application and highlight every commitment made about your role.
2. 2Map the relevant regulations to policies, forms, training, audits and escalation routes.
3. 3Prepare concise examples using the situation, action, rationale and learning.
4. 4Practise aloud with follow-up questions instead of memorising written answers.
5. 5Check service-specific subjects such as homecare call monitoring or care-home premises safety.
6. 6Bring accurate, honest explanations and ask for clarification if a question is unclear.

Build CQC registration interview confidence with service-specific practice →