A new guide designed to help care workers better understand Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections has been launched following collaboration between the regulator and The Care Workers’ Charity (CWC).
Created with members of the charity’s Care Worker Advisory Board and Champions Project, the online resource explains in straightforward language who the CQC is, what inspectors look for and what care workers can expect during an inspection.
The guide was developed after care workers highlighted uncertainty around the inspection process during a roundtable discussion with the CQC in 2025. Participants described how inspection days could create anxiety across teams, affecting staff confidence and potentially impacting the quality of care delivered.
By providing greater clarity about the purpose of inspections and the role care workers play, the organisations hope to reduce stress, improve engagement and ensure inspections provide a more accurate reflection of day-to-day care.
The initiative also highlights the growing role of co-production in shaping policy and guidance across the care sector. According to The Care Workers’ Charity, involving frontline staff in developing resources not only improves their relevance but also strengthens workforce engagement and morale.
The charity’s own survey of Advisory Board and Champions members found all respondents felt valued through their involvement, while 96% reported a stronger sense of belonging within the care workforce. More than nine in 10 said feeling listened to had improved both their morale and the care they provide.
Karolina Gerlich, Chief Executive of The Care Workers’ Charity, welcomed the collaboration, saying it demonstrated the value of involving care workers from the outset rather than consulting them after decisions have already been made.
The charity is now calling on regulators, providers and policymakers to embed co-production more widely when developing policies, guidance and systems that affect frontline staff, arguing that practical involvement from care workers leads to better outcomes for both employees and the people they support.
The new guide is available through the Care Quality Commission’s website.
