Introduction
If you’ve ever wondered when or how often care policies should be reviewed, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions asked by Registered Managers — and one that doesn’t have a simple “one-size-fits-all” answer.
Policies are the foundation of safe, consistent and compliant care. But keeping them up to date can feel like an endless task, especially with changes in legislation, guidance, and best practice.
This article breaks down what regulators expect, what you should review (and when), and how tools like The Care Handbook can make the whole process easier.
Why Regular Policy Reviews Matter
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Compliance: Regulators such as the CQC and CIW expect providers to demonstrate that policies are reviewed regularly and reflect current law and practice.
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Quality Assurance: Up-to-date policies support safe, effective, person-centred care and reduce risk to individuals and staff.
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Professional Confidence: Staff rely on policies for guidance — outdated content can cause confusion and inconsistency.
How Often Should Policies Be Reviewed?
There’s no legal rule stating a fixed time period, but good practice across the care sector is:
| Policy Type | Review Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core Policies (Safeguarding, Medication, Infection Control, Health & Safety) | Every 12 months | Review sooner if legislation or guidance changes. |
| Operational Policies (Supervision, Training, Record Keeping, Recruitment) | Every 12–18 months | Check against HR, employment and data protection updates. |
| Supportive or Best Practice Policies (Equality & Inclusion, Communication, Activities) | Every 2 years | Keep under review to reflect organisational learning and service feedback. |
It’s also good practice to conduct an interim review whenever there’s a major change in law, regulation, or national guidance — for example, updates to the Health and Social Care Act, new CQC guidance, or revisions to the Regulated Services (Wales) Regulations.
What Regulators Expect (CQC and CIW)
Both regulators require evidence that:
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Policies are current and relevant to the service provided.
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Staff understand and follow them.
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The service can show when each policy was last reviewed and who authorised it.
In England, this aligns with CQC Regulation 17: Good Governance.
In Wales, it links to Regulation 7 and 12 of the Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017.
A Practical Review Cycle
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Create a policy register – list all policies, their issue dates, and responsible reviewers.
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Categorise by risk level – e.g. Safeguarding = High; Supervision = Medium.
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Schedule reminders – quarterly or annual check-ins.
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Record evidence of review – even if no changes are made.
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Communicate updates – ensure staff sign or confirm awareness.
How The Care Handbook Can Help
The Care Handbook automatically displays review dates, policy categories, and version history across your organisation’s dashboard.
Managers can:
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Set reminders for reviews and updates.
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Assign policy reviewers.
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Track changes and generate evidence for inspections.
All policy templates are reviewed and updated in line with national guidance for both England and Wales, so you can be confident your library is compliant and consistent.
Final Thoughts
Policy review isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about ensuring the people you support, and the staff who care for them, are protected by clear, current and effective guidance.
By combining a structured review cycle with a digital tool like The Care Handbook, you can stay inspection-ready all year round.
