How governance structures support safe care
The Board is able to take assurance that governance, safety, and risk management arrangements are in place, operating, and subject to appropriate oversight.
Board Assurance
Governance & Compliance
How the Board maintains assurance of governance, safety, and risk management.
Inspection-defensible language for board papers, Quality & Safety Committee packs, and assurance reporting structured around CQC Single Assessment Framework domains.
Board-level oversight
CQC-aligned
Inspection-ready
Governance & Leadership
How governance arrangements are structured and overseen at board level.
How policies are implemented and reviewed
Policies and standards are version-controlled, reviewed regularly, and supported by training and oversight mechanisms to ensure consistent implementation.
How leaders maintain oversight
Leaders receive assurance through structured reporting, audit findings, and performance data to maintain effective oversight of clinical quality and safety.
Risk Management
How organisational risks are identified, assessed, and managed.
How risks are identified and recorded
Risks are identified through multiple sources including incident analysis, staff feedback, and guidance change monitoring, then recorded in a central risk register.
How risks are assessed and escalated
Risks are assessed using defined criteria, escalated according to severity thresholds, and monitored through governance structures to ensure appropriate oversight.
How risk mitigation is tracked
Risk mitigation actions are clearly assigned, monitored for completion, and reviewed for effectiveness to ensure risks are effectively managed.
Patient Safety & Incidents
How patient safety is maintained and incidents are managed.
How patient safety incidents are reported
Staff are supported to report incidents through clear processes, with reports reviewed to identify immediate actions and learning opportunities.
How serious incidents are investigated
Serious incidents are investigated proportionately, with clear documentation of findings, actions, and learning to support improvement.
How learning is identified and shared
Learning from incidents is identified, documented, and shared across the organisation to support continuous improvement and prevent recurrence.
Learning & Culture
How learning and improvement are embedded in organisational culture.
How learning from improvement is monitored
Quality improvement activity is monitored for effectiveness, with learning shared to support continuous improvement across services.
How safety culture is supported
Safety culture is supported through reporting processes, learning mechanisms, and leadership oversight to encourage open reporting and continuous improvement.
How regulatory requirements are met
Regulatory requirements are monitored, with compliance demonstrated through documented processes and evidence of effective implementation.
Board Assurance Statement
Template statement for board reporting and inspection preparation.
Board Assurance Statement
The Board is able to take assurance that:
- Governance arrangements are in place, operating effectively, and subject to appropriate oversight
- Risk management frameworks identify, assess, and mitigate organisational risks
- Patient safety incidents are reported, investigated, and learned from effectively
- Learning and improvement are embedded in organisational culture and processes
- Regulatory requirements are understood and met through documented arrangements
- Quality and safety performance is monitored and reported to the Board
- Staff are supported to speak up and contribute to improvement
This statement is structured to align with CQC Single Assessment Framework expectations and can be used in board papers, annual reports, and inspection preparation.
Ready for board-level assurance reporting?
Demonstrate governance, safety, and learning with structured evidence that supports board oversight and inspection readiness.