Inspection ratings explained

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

The CQC is an amalgamation of:

• Commission for Social Care Inspection

• Healthcare Commission

• Mental Health Act Commission

They are the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Their aim is to make sure better care is provided for everyone, whether that is in hospital, in care homes, in people’s own homes, or elsewhere.

The CQC regulates all health and adult social care services, ranging from treatment centres to home care services, whether provided by the NHS, local authorities, private companies or voluntary organisations. They also protect the rights of people detained under the Mental Health Act.

A copy of the most recent inspection report is available in the reception area of all our services and can also be found on the CQC website : www.cqc.org.uk

What do star ratings mean?

CQC inspections are based on the ‘National Minimum Standards’ which set out the core requirements that apply to all care services.

Following a key inspection of a service the CQC publish a rating that describes the quality of care provided.

The ratings scale is:

• 0 stars - poor

• 1 star - adequate

• 2 stars - good

• 3 stars - excellent

Ofsted

Ofsted inspect and regulate to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages.

Ofsted brings together the wide experience of four inspectorates to make a greater difference for every child, and for all young people and adult learners, in England.

Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care (SCRC)

The Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care was set up in April 2002 under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 to regulate all adult, child and independent healthcare services in Scotland.

SCRC make sure that care service providers meet the Scottish Government's National Care Standards and work to improve the quality of care. Providers are graded on the following scale: ‘Excellent’, ‘Very Good’, ‘Good’, ‘Adequate’, ‘Weak’ and ‘Unsatisfactory’.

Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW)

The role of the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales is to make professional assessments and judgements about social care, early years and social services and so encourage improvement by the service providers.

They do this through professional assessment and judgement about services and organisations. CSSIW inspect and review local authority social services, and regulate and inspect care settings and agencies.

In April 2009 CSSIW introduced a new overarching framework for local authority social services inspection, review and evaluation. It is a proportionate and integrated approach that is designed to be citizen focussed and to encourage improvement, innovation and ownership of change by local government.