Mock CQC inspections
A mock inspection, delivered by regulatory experts
See your service through an inspector's eyes before the real visit. An independent on-site assessment, an indicative rating, a CQC-style report and a prioritised plan you can put in front of your owner or board.
What is a mock CQC inspection?
A mock CQC inspection is an independent, CQC-style assessment of your service, carried out before the regulator visits, that tests your service delivery, clinical and operational practice and governance against the framework CQC uses. You get an indicative rating, findings and an action plan. It is not a CQC inspection, and the indicative rating does not bind CQC.
An unannounced or upcoming CQC inspection is stressful. A mock inspection turns that apprehension into a plan. We support clinical and medical services, adult social care and other CQC-regulated services, and our team runs a comprehensive assessment that mirrors CQC's own procedures and criteria.
The assessment is aligned to the Single Assessment Framework CQC uses today. CQC is piloting new sector-specific frameworks and has said it plans to begin implementing them from the end of 2026. Our team tracks those changes so your preparation reflects how CQC assesses now and what is coming.
What a mock inspection gives you
- A CQC-style assessment of your service delivery, clinical and operational practice, and quality and safety
- An indicative CQC rating so you know where you stand
- Findings mapped to the Single Assessment Framework and the five key questions
- A comprehensive CQC-style report with clear, practical recommendations
- A dedicated feedback session with our Inspections Lead to discuss findings and agree priorities
Why choose HLTH for your mock inspection
- Delivered by regulatory experts: former CQC inspectors, CQC Specialist Advisors and experienced compliance specialists
- Informed by the CQC inspection preparation and assessment framework training we deliver across the UK, which continually refines our methodology
- Closely mirrors a CQC inspection, with feedback that is transparent, honest and appropriately challenging, yet constructive and supportive
- Reports that mirror CQC's own but typically go further in depth and detail
- Independent, objective assurance: an impartial view that can catch what internal reviews miss
- UK-wide: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with expertise across CQC and the regulatory frameworks in the devolved nations
The experts who carry out your mock inspection
Clinicians, former CQC inspectors and compliance specialists, working from our in-house team.
Adam Duncan
Managing Director
Former CQC Specialist Advisor and Director of Quality and Governance, with over 20 years of senior clinical and operational leadership.
Helen Stevenson
CQC Registration Associate
A qualified dentist and former CQC inspector. Conducts mock inspections and strengthens governance frameworks.
Dr Atif Ghaffar
Medical Director
GP Principal for 16 years and an experienced CQC lead. Former Medical Director at CQC Compliance Limited.
Emma Lane
CQC Compliance Lead
Over 17 years in NHS and private dentistry, with detailed knowledge of CQC requirements.
Anita Willoughby
Clinical Operations Coordinator
A Registered General Nurse who oversees delivery across our mock inspections and wider client work.
Kath Cox
Head of Adult Social Care (Service Transformation)
Former Registered Manager and Operations Manager, with deep experience of governance and regulatory compliance.
CQC's framework is changing
Understand the framework first
Your inspection is judged against today's framework. CQC is also piloting new sector-specific frameworks: the same five key questions, key lines of enquiry in place of the 34 quality statements, and ratings judged without scores. Know both before your mock inspection.
Watch the one-minute explainerStart with your current rating
Pull your latest CQC rating and SAF scores, then book the mock inspection to close the gaps.
A client story
A specialist independent healthcare provider faced its first CQC inspection with limited in-house compliance resource and only around five days to prepare.
We mobilised on site within 24 hours, reviewing policies, governance, audits and training records, and preparing the leadership team for inspection questioning. Following the inspection, the provider achieved an overall rating of Good, with an Outstanding rating for Well-Led.
Case study: a children's hospice rated Good
A children's hospice in the North of England asked us for independent assurance ahead of a CQC inspection. Our Compliance and Inspections Team carried out a full mock inspection across the five key questions, then delivered a detailed report and a practical action plan. The hospice put the actions in place and went on to receive a Good rating from CQC.
How a mock CQC inspection works
A mock inspection is the start of an improvement journey: an independent assessment, findings explained, practical recommendations and, if you want it, help to put them into practice.
Agree the focus and format
The inspection can be announced or unannounced, depending on your objectives and how much operational readiness you want to test. It always covers CQC's five key questions in full, and we can add extra emphasis on areas that concern you without reducing breadth or depth.
Independent on-site assessment
Our team carries out a comprehensive assessment of your service, mirroring the procedures and criteria CQC uses.
CQC-style report and indicative rating
You get an indicative rating across the five key questions and a detailed report with practical recommendations, so you know where you stand before the real inspection.
Feedback session
A dedicated session with our Inspections Lead to discuss the findings, explore the recommendations and agree priorities.
Put the plan into practice
Our wider in-house team can help you implement the recommendations, strengthen governance and close compliance gaps.
Fast, flexible and UK-wide
- Typically available within 1 to 2 weeks, and expedited for urgent requirements, enforcement concerns or services needing immediate independent assurance
- Announced or unannounced, depending on your objectives
- Always comprehensive across CQC's five key questions, with optional extra emphasis on areas you are concerned about
- England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Why an independent assessment helps
Your own team knows the service too well to see it as an inspector will. As an impartial third party, we give you an objective view of your compliance, so the feedback is honest and constructive and free of internal bias.
Engaging independent specialists also shows a proactive commitment to quality assurance, which can be valuable evidence for CQC.
Who we do this for
The team are so knowledgeable and have up-to-date understanding of CQC regulations and requirements. I would absolutely use their service again.
Rejaul Islam, Skylight PsychiatryCQC COMPLIANCE
Mock CQC inspections: common questions
What is a mock CQC inspection?
How does a mock inspection help?
Which services do you carry out mock inspections for?
Will a mock inspection give us a rating?
What does a mock inspection look at?
Can the inspection be unannounced?
How quickly can you arrange a mock inspection?
What happens after the mock inspection?
Speak to one of our experts
Clinicians, former CQC inspectors and a former Registered Manager.
What happens on the call
- Pick a time that suits you. The call is free and takes 15 minutes.
- You speak to one of our experts about your situation.
- You leave with a clear next step, before any big commitment.
A clear next step, before a big commitment
Book your mock CQC inspection
Speak to one of our experts
Clinicians, former CQC inspectors and a former Registered Manager.
A 15-minute introductory call to explain your situation, explore the right support and discuss the next step.