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If you’re running or managing a domiciliary care agency in the UK and you’re gearing up to add Treatment of Disease, Disorder or Injury (TDDI) to your regulated activities, that upcoming TDDI interview with CQC can feel like one of the biggest tests yet.
It’s the moment when inspectors assess whether your service is truly ready to deliver clinical treatments safely in people’s homes, covering areas like medication administration, wound care, catheter management, or supporting chronic conditions without unnecessary hospital admissions.
TDDI covers how your service:
- Recognises illness, injury, or deterioration
- Responds appropriately within staff competence
- Involves healthcare professionals when needed
- Follows care plans, risk assessments, and best practice
- Learns from incidents to improve future care
It is not about:
- Diagnosing medical conditions
- Replacing clinical judgement
- Delivering nursing care in non-nursing settings
- Expecting care staff to act outside their role
CQC understands the limits of a care service. What they want to see is that those limits are recognised and respected.
In this guide, you will get the right preparation approach which will help you prepare for your TDII interview with CQC and go on to offer life-changing care. This guide will provide you with practical tips, scenario based questions and actionable steps to take to help you pass your CQC TDDI interview.
What Is a TDDI Interview with CQC?
Understanding the basics helps cut through the anxiety.
Treatment of Disease, Disorder or Injury (TDDI) is a regulated activity under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. It covers the treatment, management, or alleviation of disease, disorder, or injury. Typically requiring input from qualified healthcare professionals like nurses. In domiciliary care, this means expanding beyond personal care to clinical tasks in clients’ own homes, always with proper oversight, risk assessments, and consent.
The interview is a key part of the registration process (new providers or adding TDDI to existing services). It’s not intended as punishment, it’s just a means of assuring that you’ll deliver safe, high-quality care that protects and reduces avoidable harm for service users.
Passing the TDDI interview demonstrates that you and your service properly fit under regulations, and it opens doors to more holistic support, like helping clients manage diabetes or recover post-surgery at home.
Primarily the Registered Manager (the person overseeing daily operations) and often the Nominated Individual (usually a director or provider responsible for governance) are usually the ones who get interviews when CQC shows up. Deputies may join if they’re integral to clinical oversight. Interviews last 30-60 minutes, typically virtual (via Teams or Zoom), probing your understanding of regulations, policies, and practical application.
It’s normal to feel the weight, many managers we’ve interacted with describe it as exposing, but genuine passion for person-centred care shines through and impresses inspectors.
How the CQC TDDI Interview Process Works
Knowing the timeline and expectations removes surprises.
When CQC refers to Treatment of Disease, Disorder or Injury (TDDI), they are not expecting care services to provide medical treatment beyond their remit. This is one of the most common misunderstandings that causes anxiety during interviews.
In practice, TDDI is about safe support, timely action, and appropriate escalation. At its core, CQC is asking one simple question: Can people rely on this service to recognise when they are unwell and respond safely?
After submitting your application (including Statement of Purpose, policies, and evidence), CQC reviews it (often taking 10+ weeks, sometimes months in busy periods). The interview is a core step before approval. For adding TDDI, it’s similar.
Note: Recent changes (post-2024/2025) mean domiciliary providers use specific forms and may face structured checks before starting care delivery.
The next phase of the interview process is What assessors look out for. Competence, knowledge of the Health and Social Care Act, and commitment to the five key questions (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-Led) is what they primarily look out for. They want evidence you’ll manage TDDI risks effectively, ensure staff competency, and drive continuous improvement. Passion for outcomes, like fewer hospital visits matters.
Most TDDI interviews are virtual now, making it convenient for dom care providers. Have your application, Statement of Purpose, and notes open. On-site is less common for registration but possible if premises (e.g., office) need checking. Test your tech to be sure of a smooth connection and when you get on, treat it as a discussion because inspectors value honesty and reflection.
Key Lines to Prepare for Your TDII Interview
Everything ties back to CQC’s five key lines of enquiry (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-Led) questions, now evolving under the Single Assessment Framework, but KLOEs remain foundational for understanding.
- Safe: Protection from abuse, harm, and avoidable risks (e.g., medication errors, infection in homes).
- Effective: Evidence-based care achieving good outcomes and quality of life (e.g., successful wound healing).
- Caring: Compassionate, respectful, dignity-focused support.
- Responsive: Tailored, flexible services meeting changing needs.
- Well-Led: Strong leadership, governance, learning culture.
TDDI probes all five — safe for clinical risk mitigation, effective for treatment results, caring for consent and dignity in private homes.
Some examples of KLOE-based question includes;
- Safe: “How do you mitigate risks like medication administration errors in clients’ homes?”
- Effective: “How do you ensure TDDI interventions lead to positive health outcomes?”
- Caring: “Describe promoting dignity during intimate treatments like catheter care.”
- Responsive: “How would you adapt TDDI support for a client’s deteriorating condition?”
- Well-Led: “What systems monitor TDDI quality and drive improvements?”
Always link answers to real people, better independence, reduced distress.
Common TDDI Interview Questions
CQC inspectors do not usually ask trick questions. Most TDDI interview questions are open, scenario-based, and designed to help them understand how your service works in practice.
What matters is not having a perfect answer, but showing safe thinking, clear processes, and reflective practice.
Below are some of the most common TDDI-related questions, alongside guidance on what inspectors are listening for and how to frame your response.
1. How do staff recognise when someone is becoming unwell?
What CQC wants to understand
- How changes in health are identified
- Whether staff are observant and confident to raise concerns
- How information is shared across the team
How to approach your answer
- Talk about daily observation and knowing the person well
- Mention changes in behaviour, mood, appetite, mobility, or cognition
- Explain how staff report concerns and to whom
Good answers reference:
- Care plans and baseline information
- Handover discussions
- Recording and follow-up
Avoid vague statements like “staff keep an eye on people” without explaining how.
2. What would staff do if a person refused their medication?
What CQC wants to understand
- Respect for choice and capacity
- Safe medication practice
- Appropriate escalation
How to approach your answer
- Acknowledge that people have the right to refuse
- Explain how staff explore reasons for refusal
- Describe recording, monitoring, and escalation
Strong answers include:
- Capacity considerations
- Following the MAR process
- Involving GPs, pharmacists, or families where appropriate
Avoid suggesting that medication is forced or repeatedly pressured without review.
3. How do you make sure staff are competent to administer medication?
What CQC wants to understand
- Training and competency processes
- Ongoing monitoring and review
How to approach your answer
- Explain induction training and assessments
- Talk about observed practice and sign-off
- Mention refresher training and supervision
Inspectors like to hear:
- Competence is assessed regularly
- Support is provided if confidence drops
- Staff are stopped from administering medication if needed
If you have new staff joining your team, there’s a need to get them trained and fully compliant. You can enrol multiple staffs for a discount with Access Skills, a nationally recognised care training provider with almost 20 years of experience in the UK care sector
4. What would happen if someone had a fall or was injured?
What CQC wants to understand
- Immediate response and safety
- Medical escalation
- Learning and prevention
How to approach your answer
- Describe immediate checks and reassurance
- Explain when medical advice or emergency services are contacted
- Discuss recording and post-incident review
Good responses include:
- Body maps or injury records
- Family notification where appropriate
- Reviewing risk assessments and care plans
Avoid minimising falls or treating them as “just part of care”. Put a pointer in it and address it spot on. CQC values every bit of honesty rather than trying to sweep certain things under the rug.
5. How do you involve healthcare professionals?
What CQC wants to understand
- Escalation thresholds
- Partnership working
- Continuity of care
How to approach your answer
- Name the professionals involved (GPs, district nurses, pharmacists)
- Explain how advice is recorded and followed
- Describe what happens if concerns persist
Inspectors want reassurance that staff do not delay escalation and know when to ask for help. Give a full walk through of your services escalation process. This gives the inspector a full picture of how your service actually handles escalation in practice.
6. How do you learn from medication errors or incidents?
What CQC wants to understand
- Transparency and openness
- Governance and oversight
- Improvement culture
How to approach your answer
- Acknowledge that errors can happen
- Explain reporting processes
- Describe learning and changes made
Strong answers include:
- Reviewing trends
- Updating training or processes
- Sharing learning with staff
Avoid implying incidents are hidden or discouraged from being reported.
7. How do you ensure TDDI remains person-centred?
What CQC wants to understand
- Individualised care
- Respect for preferences and capacity
How to approach your answer
- Reference personalised care plans
- Explain how staff adapt support
- Talk about involving the person and their family
Person-centred examples strengthen any TDDI response. This is what you want to do. You can use actual examples from your service. This is what they want to know. Inspectors are not looking for rehearsed scripts. They are looking for:
- Real examples
- Clear thinking
- Evidence-backed practice
If you’re unsure of an answer, it is acceptable to say: “I’d need to check the record, but this is our usual process…” This shows honesty and leadership, not weakness.
Evidence Documents For a TDDI Interview
Have everything accessible digitally too if you can. During a TDDI interview, CQC inspectors will often ask follow-up questions. Being able to confidently refer to the right records without scrambling makes a significant difference to how assured and well-led your service appears.
Before the interview, review a small sample of records, check they align with how staff describe practice, ensure dates, signatures, and reviews are up to date. If something isn’t perfect, be ready to explain what you’re doing to improve it.
Always remember that CQC is not impressed by volume. They are reassured by relevance and consistency. Below are some evidence and documents you should have ready for a TDDI interview
1. Medication records (MARs)
Medication administration records are one of the most commonly reviewed documents under TDDI.
Inspectors may look for:
- Clear, accurate entries
- Signatures and dates
- Correct handling of refusals and omissions
- PRN administration with rationale recorded
Be prepared to explain:
- How MARs are checked
- What happens if there is an error
- How concerns are escalated
Consistency between MARs and staff explanations is critical. Be very clear in your explanation as this will evidence that your service actually ensures accurate medication records for residents.
2. Training matrix and competency records
Inspectors will often ask how you know staff are competent. This is where your training and competency evidence comes in.
Have available:
- A current training matrix
- Records of medication training
- First aid and infection control training
- Competency assessments and sign-offs
You should be able to explain:
- How often competencies are reviewed
- What happens if someone fails an assessment
- How new staff are supported before working alone
3. Care plans and risk assessments
These documents show how TDDI is applied at an individual level.
CQC will want to see:
- Clear health-related care plans
- Risk assessments that reflect current needs
- Evidence of review after incidents or deterioration
Strong services ensure:
- Care plans are personalised, not generic
- Risks are reviewed promptly
- Staff are aware of updates
4. Incident, accident, and near-miss records
These records demonstrate how your service responds when things go wrong.
Inspectors may review:
- Falls records
- Medication incidents
- Injury reports
- Near-miss logs
They are looking for:
- Prompt recording
- Appropriate escalation
- Evidence of learning and review
Being open about incidents builds trust. Do not try to cover up incidents, be very honest in your communications.
5. Policies and procedures (used, not just stored)
Policies support TDDI, but inspectors want to know they are understood and followed.
Be ready to reference:
- Medication policy
- Incident reporting policy
- Escalation procedures
- Safeguarding processes
You do not need to recite policies word-for-word. You need to show how they guide practice.
6. Supervision and team communication records
TDDI is not just about individual actions, it’s also about oversight.
Helpful evidence includes:
- Supervision notes
- Team meeting minutes
- Reflective discussions after incidents
- Action plans and follow-ups
These show that:
- Managers monitor practice
- Staff are supported
- Learning is shared.
Common Mistakes to Avoid during TDDI Interview
Even well-run services can fall down in a TDDI interview, not because practice is unsafe, but because answers are framed in a way that raises unnecessary concern.
Understanding these common pitfalls helps you approach the interview calmly and confidently. Steer clear of these to stay strong.
- Giving vague or generic answers
- Failing to link practice to outcomes for people supported
- Not knowing your own service data
- Over-rehearsing, sounding scripted or dodging questions
- Talking only about policies, not practice
- Speaking in hypotheticals instead of real example
- Being defensive about incidents or errors
- Blaming external factors or head office
- Using absolute statements
If you realise mid-answer that you’ve gone off track, it’s acceptable to pause and clarify. Explain more clearly in terms of how what you were talking about actually works in practice. Clarity and honesty matter far more than fluency.
Turn Preparation into Positive Results
With the right structure, evidence, and preparation, you’ll demonstrate readiness. Many providers emerge stronger, offering more comprehensive support and reducing pressure on the NHS. Practice mocks, review CQC guidance, and remember your “why” you got into care
You’ve built your service this far. Now show them what you’re capable of. Good luck!
If you need further support, you can;
👉Join our next webinar and learn from former CQC Inspector, Employment Law and HR expert from Croner.
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