Who Regulates UK Care Homes?

If you’re searching for a care home in the UK, you’ll want to know that it provides an unparalleled level of care. All care homes in the UK are subject to care home regulations to ensure that residents are safe, supported and content. 

The Care Quality Commission regulates care homes in England. Periodic inspections are carried out to verify that CQC’s stringent standards are being met. Every care home is graded in five different areas, from ‘outstanding’ to ‘inadequate’. For good care homes, meeting and surpassing the CQC guidelines is paramount.

In this guide, KYN discuss who the Care Quality Commission are, and what they look for in a care home.

What Is the Care Quality Commission? 

In England, all care homes are regulated and monitored by the Care Quality Commission: the independent regulator of health and social care. Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish care homes are regulated by the Care Inspectorate, Welsh Care Inspectorate and the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (respectively).

While the Care Quality Commission (CQC) isn’t a government body, it is sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care. All care homes in England must legally register with the CQC and every home is inspected regularly to ensure it meets the CQC’s high standards. 

What Are the Care Quality Commission Standards?

The CQC set their standards based on the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and its most recent revisions for care home regulations. The standards also closely follow the NICE guidelines for care homes (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). 

The CQC inspector’s job is to verify that the care home complies with regulations. They’ll check that the service provided by the home is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. In each area, the care home will be given one of four grades:

• ‘Outstanding’
• ‘Good’
• ‘Requires Improvement’
• ‘Inadequate’

If found to be inadequate, the care home may be served a warning notice or prosecuted. 

Is the Service Safe? 

The first area of a CQC inspection establishes that residents feel safe and are protected from avoidable harm and abuse. Staff must understand their responsibilities and demonstrate that medicines are stored and dispensed safely. 

The inspector will also use building regulations for care homes to ensure that the home itself is secure. For example, bedrooms should comply with care home room size regulations. Fire, gas, water and electrical safety checks should be carried out regularly. 

Is the Service Effective?

The CQC inspector will look for evidence that residents’ care, treatment and support achieve effective outcomes. For example:

• Residents’ diets meet their nutritional requirements
• Services are adapted to meet individual needs
• Full consent is obtained before administering care or treatment
• Health concerns are monitored and responded to promptly

All care should promote a high quality of life and be delivered according to best practice guidance (such as the NICE guidelines for care homes).

Is the Service Caring?

It’s vital that every team member treats residents with respect, compassion, kindness and dignity. This area of inspection ensures that residents feel that they’re supported, treated kindly and that their privacy and independence is respected. 

The inspector will check that staff and residents have a strong rapport, and that carers are aware of each individual’s needs and preferences.

 Is the Service Responsive?

This inspection area assesses whether the services provided at the care home meet residents’ needs.
For example, the inspector will look for:

• Personalised care plans for each resident, detailing the support they need to meet their physical and emotional needs
• Good organisation and delivery of services
• Information being shared with residents
• A variety of enrichment and activities on offer for residents

There should also be a structured complaints procedure in place to allow residents to raise concerns.

Is the Service Well-Led?

The fifth and final CQC inspection area looks at leadership, management and governance. It ensures that the care home’s leaders and managers help to create an environment of high-quality, person-centred care. 

To score well in this area, team members must fully understand their roles and feel involved in making care decisions. Managers must be approachable, honest, supportive and receptive to learning.

Discover KYN

Taking an individualised, holistic approach, we get to know each and every one of our residents personally. Our team treat each resident’s psychological and physical health as a whole. Our household system’s focused attention and knowledge of each resident’s character and medical profile enables KYN to deliver the highest standards of care.

If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a KYN resident, enquire today to request a call, visit or brochure. You can also call us on +44 (0) 20 3535 1923 or email us at enquiries@kyn.co.uk.