Care glossary · Ratings and regulation
Inadequate (CQC rating): what it means
The service is performing badly and CQC has taken, or will take, action.
Services rated Inadequate are usually placed in "special measures" and re-inspected within six months. If someone you know is in a service rated Inadequate, speak to the manager and, if worried, the council's safeguarding team.
In numbers: 170 care services in England are currently rated Inadequate. Figures: CQC, Oct 2026.
Linked terms
- CQC rating: The overall judgement CQC gives a care service after inspection: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate.
- Safeguarding: Protecting adults at risk from abuse or neglect; councils lead enquiries when concerns are raised.
Questions about inadequate (cqc rating)
Free download
The care home visit checklist (40 points)
Use it to compare up to three homes on the same questions, from CQC reports and staffing to the room, fees and contract terms.
More in Ratings and regulation
Care Quality Commission (CQC) · CQC rating · Outstanding (CQC rating) · Good (CQC rating) · Requires improvement (CQC rating) · Five key questions (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-led) · Single assessment framework · CQC inspection report · CQC enforcement (warning notices and special measures) · Registered manager · Regulated activity · Specialism (CQC registration)
Register information from CQC as at Oct 2026; Open Government Licence v3.0 applies. We do not deliver care ourselves.