CQC registration guide · England
How to Register a Domiciliary Care Agency with CQC in England
A domiciliary care agency supports people in their own homes. If your staff help people with personal care — such as washing, dressing, eating or taking medicines — you must register with CQC before you start. You register the office the service is managed from, not each person’s home.
Written by Sheref Ergun, Founder of MyCareAudit · 20+ years in health & social care compliance · Last updated
Regulated activity
- Personal care
Who this guide is for
- New home care agencies and franchisees
- Existing businesses adding personal care to companionship or domestic services
- Providers opening a second branch in a new area
What CQC will expect
Statement of Purpose
A legally required document setting out your aims and objectives, the regulated activities you will carry out, the people you will support and where the service is delivered from. CQC reads it closely and it must match everything else in your application.
Registered manager
Each regulated activity normally needs a registered manager. They apply to CQC separately, need an enhanced DBS check and must show they understand the regulations, safeguarding and how they will run the service day to day.
Office and systems
A suitable office base, a way to plan and monitor visits (for example call scheduling or electronic call monitoring) and secure record keeping that meets data protection rules.
Staffing plan
How you will recruit, induct and train care workers (including the Care Certificate for new staff), cover sickness and manage lone working safely.
Fit and proper people
Directors and the nominated individual must meet the fit and proper person requirements, and your recruitment process must show how you will check that every member of staff is suitable (Regulation 19).
Policies and governance
CQC expects working policies (safeguarding, medicines, complaints, infection control, recruitment and more) and a clear plan for monitoring quality and improving the service (Regulation 17, good governance).
Startup steps
- 1Set up your company and business bank account
- 2Secure an office and choose your area
- 3Appoint a registered manager and nominated individual
- 4Apply for enhanced DBS checks
- 5Write your Statement of Purpose and policies
- 6Submit your provider and registered manager applications to CQC
- 7Prepare for the registration interview and any site visit
Common pitfalls
- Statement of Purpose that doesn’t match the policies or the application form
- Registered manager who can’t explain how they will monitor missed or late visits
- No clear plan for recruiting and training staff before the first package of care
- Medicines policy that doesn’t reflect support in people’s homes
Two ways to get started
Done-with-you registration
From £1,995
Fixed-fee packages covering your applications, Statement of Purpose and policies. 50% deposit or 10% off paying in full.
Compare packagesDo-it-yourself with software
£59/month
Pre-CQC Starter: registration document pack, care records for up to 5 people and a readiness audit. Move to Solo (£87/month) once registered.
See the Starter planCQC's own annual registration fee is set by CQC and paid directly to CQC.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need CQC registration to run a home care agency?
Yes, if your staff provide personal care. Agencies that only provide domestic help or companionship, with no personal care, do not carry out a regulated activity and do not need to register.
Do I need an office to register a domiciliary care agency?
You register a location from which the service is managed. CQC will want to see that this location is suitable for managing care, storing records securely and supporting staff.
How much does it cost to register a home care agency?
CQC charges its own annual fee, which is set by CQC. Our fixed-fee registration support starts at £1,995, and you can use the Pre-CQC Starter plan (£59/month) to build your care records and readiness evidence while you prepare.
Related registration guides
CQC registration for live-in care
Register a managed live-in care service providing personal care at home.
CQC registration for supported living
Register to provide personal care to people living in their own tenancies.
CQC registration for learning disability & autism
Register services for autistic people and people with a learning disability.
Local CQC registration support
Not sure where to start?
Book a free call and we'll tell you which regulated activities you need and what your application should include.