Ian Lloyd looks at the role of a CQC-registered manager and provides guidance on how to register.
All new practices registering with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) must decide whether they need a registered manager.
If you are an individual provider who will manage and be responsible for the regulated activities at your practice, you do not need to have a separate registered manager. In that situation, the provider is considered to fulfil the roles of provider and registered manager.
The following situations require a CQC registered manager:
- If your practice is classed as an organisation – that is a practice that is run as a limited company and is registered at Companies House
- A partnership
- The individual provider is not responsible for the day-to-day running of the regulated activities. The position of registered manager carries legal accountability, so it is important that the registered manager understands and is trained for the role.
- Registered managers are all required to participate in an interview prior to being registered. The interview questions are designed
- to demonstrate that the registered manager understands how to comply with the regulations and is ‘fit’ for the position.
- More than one person can be appointed to manage the regulated activities at the same location under a job share arrangement.
The role of a registered manager
Legal accountability for the service your practice provides is shared between the provider and the registered manager (sometimes, as described above, these are the same person). The CQC often uses the registered manager as its point of contact for a service.
To apply to be a CQC-registered manager, you will need to apply via the provider portal.
You will need the following:
- An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- A copy of your professional training qualifications
- A list of qualifications and training
- Contact details for your GP
- Contact details for your last employer as a referee.
Once the application(s) are received, the CQC will:
- Review the application. At this point it may request more information
- Book a date to complete a site visit if needed
- Arrange an interview
- Involve the nominated individual and the proposed registered manager, if you need one.
The CQC will confirm the outcome of the registration process by email. Registered managers are not responsible for managing the regulated activities until the CQC has confirmed the registration.
Top tips
- Get your DBS application submitted in the first instance
- Don’t rush the application process, any inaccuracies will result in a rejection
- Prepare all the supporting evidence in advance
- Use the ‘save’ button so that you can take a break
- There are handy hints on answering the quality statements on the CQC website.
And finally…get expert help if you need it! It will save you time, money and stress
