Care Quality Commission(CQC)

What it means

The Care Quality Commission registers, inspects and rates providers of health and adult social care in England, including home-care agencies and care homes. Its published ratings run from “Outstanding” to “Inadequate”.

Ordinary sheltered housing is not usually CQC-registered, because housing itself is not a regulated care activity. Where a scheme includes personal care — as in extra-care housing — the care service is registered and inspected, not the building.

Why it may matter

If a scheme advertises on-site care, the care provider's CQC registration and latest rating are public and free to check. This is one of the quickest independent checks a family can make.

How you might see it used

A listing might say: “Care is provided by an on-site team rated Good by the CQC at its last inspection.”