How it works
You’ll answer a short set of questions about how your service runs day to day. Things like incident learning, audits, staff oversight, and how easily evidence can be pulled together if inspectors asked for it.
Your answers are then mapped across the five areas inspectors look at when assessing adult services under the CQC Single Assessment Framework.
At the end, you’ll see where the evidence supporting your service is likely to appear strongest, and where it may be harder to demonstrate clearly during inspection.
Why take the snapshot
You want to know where you stand before an inspection happens.
This short snapshot helps highlight where your inspection evidence is already strong, and where it may need strengthening before inspection.
Answer honestly based on your current service practices not what you believe to be ideal.
You'll be assessed against the following areas.
Safety & Risk Oversight
How clearly the service identifies risks, learns from incidents, and demonstrates safeguarding oversight. Inspectors look for evidence that problems are analysed and lead to preventative action, not just recorded.
Effectiveness of Support
How well the service shows that staff have the skills, training and care planning processes needed to support people effectively. Evidence focuses on competence, reviews, and whether support leads to improved outcomes.
Respect & Personalised Care
How clearly records show that people’s dignity, preferences and rights are respected. Inspectors look for evidence of choice, consent and personalised support reflected in everyday care records.
Responsiveness & Adaptability
How well the service listens and responds to feedback, complaints and changing needs. Evidence should show that services adapt support and learn from what people and families say.
Leadership & Governance
How clearly leadership oversees quality, tracks improvement and ensures systems are working. Inspectors focus on governance structures, audit follow-through and how easily evidence can be presented during inspection.