CQC registration document guidance

Safeguarding Policy and Procedure

A Safeguarding Policy and Procedure is one of the most important documents in your CQC registration pack. It should show how your organisation will protect people from abuse, neglect and improper treatment.

Why this matters for your registration

  • •Safeguarding is central to safe care and a core part of Regulation 13.
  • •CQC wants to see practical procedures for preventing, identifying and reporting abuse.
  • •Your policy should make it clear what staff, people using the service and others should do when concerns arise.

What you should prepare

  • •Clear explanations of different forms of abuse and possible indicators.
  • •A safeguarding reporting process or flow with immediate safety actions.
  • •Named safeguarding lead details, including emergency and out-of-hours arrangements.
  • •Local authority safeguarding contact details relevant to your service area.
  • •How disclosures, management concerns, consent, restraint and record keeping will be handled.
  • •How safeguarding prevention links with recruitment, training, supervision and governance.

Before you submit

  • •Make sure staff can quickly understand how to report a concern.
  • •Include an alternative reporting route if the concern involves management.
  • •Check that the local authority safeguarding details are correct and current.
  • •Keep the policy consistent with consent, complaints, recruitment and governance documents.