CQC care home ratings explained

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates care homes in England and gives each one an overall rating: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate. It also rates the home on five questions: is it safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Outstanding

The service is performing exceptionally well.

Good

The service is performing well and meeting CQC's expectations.

Requires improvement

The service is not performing as well as it should, and CQC has told it how to improve.

Inadequate

The service is performing badly, and CQC has taken enforcement action.

In Scotland the Care Inspectorate grades care homes from 1 (Unsatisfactory) to 6 (Excellent).