CQC Single Assessment Framework Audit

1. Do staff feel safe and confident to report incidents, errors or near misses?

2. Is there a clear, consistent process for investigating safety concerns?

3. Are lessons from incidents documented, reviewed, and communicated to the whole team?

4. Have you seen improvements as a result of these lessons? Can staff give examples?

5. Do you maintain a log of incidents and near misses for trend analysis?

6. Are learnings from incidents used in team meetings and supervisions?

7. Are there clear records showing how incident outcomes influence policy or procedure updates?

8. Do you have a non-punitive approach to investigating safety issues?

9. Are care plans updated and communicated during transitions between services?

10. Do you track and review how care handovers are managed?

11. Are staff trained on their responsibilities during care transitions?

12. Do you involve external partners in planning and reviewing shared care pathways?

13. Is there a checklist used to ensure safe transitions between services?

14. Are transitions monitored for feedback or reported issues?

15. Do you audit hospital discharge or admission processes for safety risks?

16. Are delays in transitions documented and followed up to avoid recurrence?

17. Do people using your service feel safe, and are their views on safety recorded?

18. Is safeguarding training refreshed regularly for all staff?

19. Are safeguarding incidents promptly reported and escalated?

20. Do you work collaboratively with safeguarding boards or local authorities?

21. Is there a clear process for recognising and responding to signs of abuse or neglect?

22. Do you audit safeguarding responses to ensure timeliness and effectiveness?

23. Are staff confident in discussing safeguarding concerns with people using the service?

24. Are safeguarding alerts used to inform future training or supervision content?

25. Are people involved in writing and reviewing their risk assessments?

26. Do risk management plans balance safety with choice and independence?

27. Are risks discussed openly with family or advocates where appropriate?

28. Can people explain how they are supported to take positive risks?

29. Are staff trained in shared decision-making and supported risk-taking?

30. Do risk assessments take into account fluctuating needs and capacity?

31. Are people given tools or support to self-manage known risks?

32. Are reviews of risk plans documented following incidents or concerns?

33. Are environmental risk assessments up to date and regularly reviewed?

34. Are all areas of your service clean, safe, and well maintained?

35. Is there a documented plan for emergency situations (e.g., fire, power cuts)?

36. Is equipment maintained and inspected as per manufacturer or legal standards?

37. Are regular health and safety walkarounds conducted with clear action plans?

38. Are temperature, lighting, and noise levels checked to ensure comfort and safety?

39. Do you have secure areas for hazardous substances or equipment?

40. Is environmental safety included in induction for new staff?

41. Do staffing levels consistently meet the needs of those using the service?

42. Is there a system in place to monitor staff training and development?

43. Are performance concerns identified early and addressed with support?

44. Are new staff properly inducted and supervised?

45. Are staff rotas reviewed to ensure skill mix and experience are appropriate?

46. Do staff have protected time for training and supervision?

47. Are exit interviews conducted to identify potential risks in staff retention?

48. Is there a clear escalation process for unsafe staffing situations?

49. Are infection control policies clear, up to date, and followed in practice?

50. Are audits carried out to monitor compliance with hygiene standards?

51. Do staff understand and use PPE appropriately?

52. Is there a plan in place for responding to an outbreak?

53. Is infection control training delivered during induction and refreshed regularly?

54. Are waste disposal and laundry procedures followed and audited?

55. Is there visible signage and handwashing support for people and visitors?

56. Do you monitor infection rates and trends to identify preventative measures?

57. Are people supported to understand and manage their medicines?

58. Are all medicine errors recorded, investigated, and used to improve practice?

59. Are medication reviews done regularly, especially after hospital visits?

60. Is medicine storage checked routinely for compliance?

61. Are MAR charts completed accurately and checked for discrepancies?

62. Do you involve pharmacists in reviewing complex or high-risk medications?

63. Are people given information in their preferred format about their medicines?

64. Do you have a policy for self-administration and support for those who wish to self-medicate?