CuraFlow DC-G11CQCSection G · Information Governance and Records
Freedom of Information policy
For CQC-registered domiciliary care services · version 1.0 · last reviewed 1 June 2026
Most independent home care providers are not public authorities, but they may hold information on behalf of one. Starting from whether the Freedom of Information Act applies at all, the policy covers cooperating with a commissioner's request, handling a request that arrives directly, environmental information under the EIR, and commercial confidentiality.
What this policy covers
- Does freedom of information apply to us?
- The framework — foia, eir and the ico
- Information held on behalf of a public authority
- Cooperating with a commissioner’s FOI request
- Handling a request received directly
- Environmental information
- Commercial confidentiality and our information
- Administrators / coordinators
- Annex a — is it FOI, eir or a subject access request?
- Annex b — information request handling record
Regulations and guidance it supports
Supports the fundamental standards at Regulations 17 and 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
- Freedom of Information Act 2000
- Environmental Information Regulations 2004
- Data Protection Act 2018
- Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (G01, G04)
Common questions
- Is the freedom of information policy CQC-aligned?
- Yes. It is written and reviewed by practising UK compliance consultants against current CQC expectations, and supports the fundamental standards at Regulations 17 and 20. It is a controlled starting-point document that you adapt to your own service — you remain the accountable provider.
- Can I download and edit this policy?
- Yes. It downloads as Word (.docx) or PDF with your company name, registered manager, CQC ID and address already filled in on the cover page and throughout the document. The Word version is fully editable.
- Can I buy this policy on its own?
- Policies are sold as a complete library rather than individually, because CQC expects a coherent set that cross-references properly — a single policy in isolation creates gaps. The domiciliary care library contains 141 policies and can be bought outright as a one-off purchase and kept permanently.
- How often is it reviewed?
- The library is re-reviewed every six months and after any material regulatory change. This policy was last reviewed 1 June 2026, and is at version 1.0. Updates reach you automatically, so downloads always reflect the current version.