CQC ratings explained

Who it applies to

Any provider wanting to understand how its CQC rating is reached and what it means.

The four ratings

• Outstanding — the service is performing exceptionally well
• Good — the service is performing well and meeting expectations
• Requires improvement — the service is not performing as well as it should
• Inadequate — the service is performing badly and CQC has taken or may take action

How scores build into ratings

Under the single assessment framework, CQC scores evidence for each quality statement it looks at on a scale of 1 to 4. Those scores are combined to give a rating for each key question, and the key question ratings are combined into the overall rating.

What the rating means in practice

• Ratings must be displayed at the service and on your website
• Commissioners, families and staff often use ratings when choosing a service
• A Requires improvement or Inadequate rating usually means closer monitoring and a further assessment
• Breaches of regulation can lead to requirement notices or enforcement action, separate from the rating

Internal audit questions

1. 1.Is your current rating displayed correctly at the premises and on your website?
2. 2.Do you know which key question pulled your rating down last time?
3. 3.Is there evidence of improvement against each previous finding?

How MyCareCompliance can help

MyCareCompliance scores your audits against the CQC quality statements and rolls them up into the five key questions, so you can see where you are likely to be strong or weak before an assessment.

Official sources

• CQC: ratings
• CQC: how we assess services (single assessment framework)
• Regulation 20A — requirement to display performance assessments (legislation.gov.uk)