The CQC looks out for you. So you should know about it.

What is the purpose of the CQC?

In a nutshell, the CQC exists to ensure that social care providers (for children and adults), deliver high quality care, encouraging continual improvement, with safety, effectiveness and compassion as constant priorities.

What does the CQC do?

1. It registers care providers

This includes all Care Homes, all Home Care Providers and any Live-in Care Providers who employ the care workers who are providing live-in care support. 

(Note: Some Live-in Care Producers just introduce the carers who are then employed by the care user.)

2. It monitors and inspects the services on a regular basis, awarding a rating

As with TripAdvisor, all ratings are published for anyone to see, which will be useful if, for instance, you are ever considering several different care homes.

3. It takes action 

The CQC aims to protect anyone using social care services that fall under its regulatory remit and so conducts regular inspections of all registered care providers, whilst also evaluating feedback and concerns raised.

4.    It publishes its opinions

With stated values of Excellence, Caring, Integrity and Teamwork, the CQC devises and publishes what good and outstanding care looks like and determines the fundamental standards beneath which delivery of care should never fall. 

This should be reassuring for care users and their families. It doesn't just apply to those people whose care is being state- funded, but to self-funders too. If you are in this category, then you'll potentially spend a very high proportion of your income and savings on later living care. You are therefore entitled to the security of knowing there is an organisation that will support you and encourage industry-wide commitment to high quality care.

For more information, see www.cqc.org.uk.