CQC registration guide · England
CQC Registration for Supported Living Services in England
In supported living, people hold their own tenancy and receive care and support to live as independently as possible. CQC regulates the personal care, not the housing — so you register if you provide personal care, and you must be able to show that people’s housing and care arrangements are genuinely separate.
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
- Providers supporting adults with a learning disability, autism or mental health needs
- Housing providers partnering with a care provider
- Domiciliary agencies moving into supported living
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.
Separation of housing and care
Clear tenancy agreements with a landlord and a separate care agreement, so people have real choice over who provides their support. If housing and care are tied together, CQC may consider the setting a care home.
Right support, right care, right culture
Services for autistic people and people with a learning disability must show how they follow this CQC guidance: choice, control, independence and inclusion in the community.
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.
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
- 1Agree your housing model with a landlord
- 2Draft tenancy and care agreements separately
- 3Appoint a registered manager
- 4Write your Statement of Purpose describing the people you will support
- 5Build positive behaviour support and person-centred planning into your policies
- 6Submit your CQC applications
- 7Prepare for the registration interview
Common pitfalls
- Housing and care that are not genuinely separate
- Large, congregate settings that don’t reflect Right support, right care, right culture
- Statement of Purpose that describes housing rather than care
- No plan for restrictive practice reduction and positive behaviour support
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
Does CQC regulate supported living?
CQC regulates the personal care delivered in supported living, not the accommodation. If you provide personal care you must register for the regulated activity personal care.
What is the difference between supported living and a care home?
In supported living people have their own tenancy and can change their care provider without losing their home. In a care home, accommodation and care are provided together and the provider registers for accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care.
Do I need to follow Right support, right care, right culture?
If you support autistic people or people with a learning disability, CQC expects you to show how your service follows this guidance, both at registration and at inspection.
Related registration guides
CQC registration for learning disability & autism
Register services for autistic people and people with a learning disability.
CQC registration for domiciliary care
Register a home care agency that provides personal care in people’s own homes.
CQC registration for care homes
Register a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care.
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.