What are the 5 CQC Key Standards?

When the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects care services, it evaluates them based on five crucial areas, known as the CQC 5 Standards. These standards are sometimes referred to as the CQC 5 Key Questions or 5 Key Domains, but they all point to the same fundamental principles.

Each of these standards is essential in determining the quality of care provided, and they guide the CQC’s inspection process to ensure consistency and thoroughness across all types of care services. So, let’s take a closer look at what the 5 CQC Standards are and why they’re important.

What Are the 5 CQC Standards?

It's easy to confuse the CQC 5 Standards with the CQC Fundamental Standards. The terms sound similar, and that’s because the 5 Standards were developed from the Fundamental Standards. However, the distinction is important: the Fundamental Standards represent the minimum requirements that care providers must meet under law, as outlined in The Health and Social Care Act 2008. In contrast, the CQC’s 5 Standards are the broader categories inspectors use to evaluate the quality of care.

Here’s a breakdown of the 5 CQC Standards:

1. Safe
   Is everyone—service users, staff, and visitors—protected from abuse and avoidable harm? Safety is at the heart of any care service, ensuring environments are free from risk and hazards and that appropriate safeguarding measures are in place.

2. Effective
   Are care, treatment, and support provided to individuals leading to good outcomes? Is the care evidence-based and does it promote a good quality of life? In short, effectiveness measures whether the service helps people live healthier, happier lives.

3. Caring
   Does the service foster an environment where staff treat individuals with compassion, kindness, dignity, and respect? Caring focuses on the human touch—whether staff are not only professional but also empathetic towards the people in their care.

4. Responsive
   Are services tailored to meet the specific needs of each person? Responsive care ensures that individuals receive personalised care that adapts to changes in their preferences or health conditions, reflecting the principles of person-centred care.

5. Well Led
   Does the leadership and governance of the organisation support the delivery of high-quality care? A well led service promotes a culture of learning, openness, innovation, and accountability, ensuring that all areas of the organisation contribute to better outcomes for service users.

The New Quality Statements

In 2023, the CQC updated its inspection framework by introducing 34 quality statements. These statements outline what care providers must achieve to deliver high-quality care. Expressed as “we statements" and "I statements", they each fall under one of the 5 Key Standards.

As you can see in the table, there are 8 statements under Safe, 6 under Effective, 5 under Caring, 7 under Responsive and 8 under Well Led.

How are the 5 Key Standards used in Assessments?

During inspections, the CQC uses the 5 Key Standards to shape their investigations. For example, when looking at whether a service is safe, inspectors may examine how risks are identified and managed. By focusing on these five areas, the CQC ensures all inspections are both comprehensive and consistent, ultimately aiming to improve care quality across the sector.

Displaying CQC Ratings

After an inspection, care providers are required to publicly display their CQC rating in a place that is visible to those receiving care. Additionally, they must include the rating on their website and make the latest inspection report easily accessible.

Each provider is rated against the 5 Key Standards, giving the public insight into the areas where the service excels or needs improvement. Here we have an example of how this rating is shown on the CQC website. These ratings provide transparency, allowing people to make informed choices about the care they or their loved ones receive.

By understanding and adhering to the 5 CQC Standards, care providers can ensure they meet the CQC’s expectations and, more importantly, offer a higher standard of care for those who rely on their services.