Understanding the July 2025 CQC Registration Updates for Domiciliary Care Providers
On 1st July 2025, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) introduced updated criteria for registering new health and social care services. If you are currently preparing your registration, it’s essential to review the latest requirements on the CQC website, as applications not meeting the new standards will not be accepted.
In this blog, we focus specifically on homecare (domiciliary care) providers, as this is where many of our clients seek guidance.
What Has Been Removed?
Some requirements that previously carried additional costs are no longer mandatory at the registration stage:
ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) registration certificate – You no longer need to provide proof of ICO registration at the point of application (although you must register once you begin handling personal data).
Financial viability statement – You no longer need to provide a formal statement of financial viability (though you must still ensure your business is financially sustainable).
This change reduces upfront costs for new providers and simplifies the application process.
What Is Staying?
CQC still requires a number of core policies for domiciliary care registration, including:
Consent policy and procedures
Equality, diversity and human rights policy
Governance policy
Infection control policy
Medicines management policy
Recruitment policy
Safeguarding policy
In addition, you may be asked for:
Duty of candour policy
Person-centred care planning policy
Quality assurance policy
Risk management policy
Supporting documents that remain essential:
Statement of purpose (using the CQC template)
Application for Registration as a Provider of Regulated Activities form (Jan 2025 version – always check for the latest)
Application for Registration as a Manager form (May 2025 version – again, check the latest)
Business plan, now requiring a 1-year financial forecast (previously 2 years), a SWOT analysis, and evidence of local market research.
What Is New?
Several new or reinstated requirements now apply to domiciliary care applications:
Additional form for Providers of Personal Care – This form is now compulsory, asking for proof of local need, particularly if you plan to work with local authority-funded clients.
Evidence of legal occupancy – You must show you are permitted to operate from your chosen address, through:
Title deeds (if owned)
Tenancy or licence agreement
Written permission from landlord/mortgage provider
Training plan – Replacing the training matrix, this plan must detail induction, ongoing training, specialist training, overseas worker support, and your training provider.
Complaints policy – Now required at registration, including how complaints will be fairly handled if the nominated individual and registered manager are the same person.
Service User Guide – This is now compulsory and must cover pricing, safeguarding, and complaints, among other key details.
How Long Will Registration Take?
CQC has not shortened the registration timescale with these changes. On average, applications can take 12–16 weeks, but this may be longer if documentation is incomplete or additional information is requested.
By streamlining certain financial documents but adding new checks like legal occupancy and service user guidance, CQC aims to balance reducing barriers for providers while strengthening consumer protection.
Summary
The July 2025 updates bring a mix of simplification and new responsibilities for domiciliary care providers. While costs are reduced thanks to the removal of the ICO certificate and financial viability statement, providers must now prepare more robust evidence of occupancy, service planning, and training provision.
At Wardwave, we support care agencies in navigating these changes, ensuring compliance and guiding you step by step through the registration process.
📩 Get in touch today to discuss your CQC registration: