CQC is a regulator ie holds health and social care providers, care homes, LAs, NHS trusts etc to account for all the national standards, not just statutory safeguarding standards.
The actual local safeguarding investigations and actions are carried out by relevant care home, LAs NHS trust etc who all must keep a detailed logs of safeguarding concerns, reports investigations and what actions they are taking.
Local Councils, social workers, the NHS, care homes, the Police all share information via a Local Multi agency safeguarding Board or whatever they call that locally. This Board must ensure that , coordination of all SG investigations. They all must share such information with the regulator CQC.
CQC does not have a fixed inspection timescale as such. It's based on a schedule of continuous risk based monitoring model.
New care homes must receive their first inspection assessment within 12 months.
If any existing care home is found to be inadequate on inspection must be reinspected within 6 months to ensure safety improvements made.
If an inspection identifies something that requires improvement must be within 12 months to ensure improvements made.
If found good or outstanding inspection takes place within a 2 to 5 ear timescale.
CQC collects large amounts data on an ongoing basis- e.g Local Safeguarding Board reports, logs and action data. NHS trust quality and safety reprots etc. If any concerns noted by CQC at any stage CQC can trigger an immediate announced or unannounced inspection of any care home, NHS care provider etc at any time.