Care glossary · Ratings and regulation
Requires improvement (CQC rating): what it means
The service is not performing as well as it should, and CQC has told it how to improve.
A Requires improvement rating does not always mean care is unsafe, but ask the provider what has changed since the inspection and read which key questions fell short.
In numbers: 3,280 care services in England are currently rated Requires improvement. From the CQC register, Oct 2026.
Linked terms
- CQC rating: The overall judgement CQC gives a care service after inspection: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate.
- Inadequate (CQC rating): The service is performing badly and CQC has taken, or will take, action.
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Choosing a care home: the 40-point checklist
Take it on every visit and compare up to three homes side by side: CQC checks, staffing, daily life, the room, fees and the contract.
More in Ratings and regulation
Care Quality Commission (CQC) · CQC rating · Outstanding (CQC rating) · Good (CQC rating) · Inadequate (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)
Provider details from the Care Quality Commission register, updated Oct 2026. Contains CQC data licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The Care Panel is not a care provider.