CQC Notifications: What to Report and When
Statutory notifications are one of the most commonly misunderstood requirements for registered managers. Missing a notification — even unintentionally — is a criminal offence. This guide tells you exactly what to report, when, and how.
What Are Statutory Notifications?
Statutory notifications are legally required reports that providers and registered managers must send to CQC when certain events occur. They are required under Regulation 18 of the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009.
The purpose is to allow CQC to monitor the safety and quality of care between inspections, and to take action where there are concerns.
Failing to notify CQC of a reportable event is a criminal offence under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. CQC can prosecute providers and registered managers, and failure to notify will also be taken into account during inspections.
What Must You Notify CQC About?
| Event | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Death of a service user (from any cause) | Without delay (same working day where possible) |
| Serious injury to a service user | Without delay |
| Abuse or allegation of abuse | Without delay |
| Incident reported to or investigated by police | Without delay |
| Application to deprive a person of liberty (DoLS) | Without delay |
| Events preventing the regulated activity | Without delay |
| Changes to registration details | Within 28 days |
| Absence of registered manager | Without delay if not covered |
"Without delay" generally means the same working day or as soon as reasonably practicable. Don't wait until you've completed an internal investigation — notify first, investigate second. This is the same principle that underpins the duty of candour: be open before you're asked to be.
How Do You Submit a Notification?
All notifications are submitted through the CQC provider portal at cqc.org.uk. You will need:
- Your provider login details
- The service location reference
- Details of the incident or event
- Actions already taken
Each notification type has a specific form. Make sure you select the correct one — for example, a death notification is different from an abuse notification.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting too long — notify first, investigate second
- Not notifying deaths — all deaths must be reported, including expected deaths
- Not keeping records — keep a log of every notification sent, with the date and reference number
- Confusing types — make sure you select the correct notification type
- Not notifying after staff changes — changes to your Registered Manager must be notified within 28 days
Best Practice: Keep a Notifications Log
Maintain a simple log in your governance system recording:
- Date of incident
- Type of incident
- Date notification submitted to CQC
- CQC reference number
- Any follow-up required
This log should be reviewed regularly by senior management and referenced in your governance meetings. Inspectors will often ask to see it — it's also one of the items on our full inspection checklist.
Not sure if something needs to be notified?
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If CQC discovers that a notifiable event was not reported, they can:
- Issue a warning notice
- Take it into account as a breach of regulations at inspection
- Prosecute the provider and/or registered manager
- Issue a fixed penalty notice
If you realise you've missed a notification, submit it as soon as possible and be transparent with CQC about the delay. Proactive disclosure is always viewed more favourably than being caught out.