Outstanding-Rated Care Homes: What the CQC Rating Means and How to Find One

In short: Outstanding is the CQC’s highest rating, and it is rare: in April 2024 only around 4% of adult social care services in England held it, against about 78% rated Good. It is a strong signal of quality, but check the date and the detail before you rely on it.

How CQC ratings work

The Care Quality Commission rates care homes on five questions: is the service safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. Each is rated Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate, and these combine into an overall rating. A home can be Outstanding overall but only Good on one question, so look at the breakdown.

How rare is Outstanding?

These King’s Fund figures cover adult social care services in England, not care homes only, and the CQC was moving to a new assessment framework, so they should not be compared directly with earlier years.

What an Outstanding rating tells you, and what it does not

• It tells you inspectors found practice that goes beyond the standard expected, usually strong leadership, caring staff and good outcomes.
• It does not tell you the home is right for your relative: location, dementia or nursing expertise, room availability, fees and atmosphere still matter.
• It can be old. Some ratings are several years old. Check the inspection date and see how often the CQC inspects care homes and overdue inspections.
• It can change if a new inspection finds problems or the manager or owner changes.

How to check any home

1. Search the home on the CQC website and read the full report, not just the headline rating.
2. Note the date of the last inspection and of any breaches or enforcement action.
3. Check whether the registered manager is the same one in post during the inspection.
4. Visit at different times of day. Use our questions to ask when visiting a care home.
5. Compare fees. Outstanding homes can still be good value, but verify what is included, and see care home fee increases.

For a step-by-step process see how to choose a care home, and for what the regulator does see what is the CQC.

Frequently asked questions

What percentage of care homes are rated Outstanding?

About 4% of adult social care services in England were rated Outstanding in April 2024, according to King’s Fund analysis of CQC data. The figure for care homes alone may differ slightly.

Is an Outstanding care home always better?

Not necessarily for your situation. It signals high quality at inspection, but you should still check the inspection date, the report and whether the home meets your relative’s particular needs.

How often are Outstanding care homes inspected?

There is no fixed schedule. Historically higher-rated services were inspected less often, and inspections have recently been delayed, so some ratings are several years old.

Can an Outstanding care home lose its rating?

Yes. Ratings can be downgraded after a new inspection or if concerns are raised, so check the CQC site for the latest report.

Are Outstanding care homes more expensive?

Not always. Fees depend more on location, care type and facilities than on rating, so compare the same type of room and care level.

Official sources

• CQC: how we rate
• The King’s Fund: Social care 360, quality

This page is general information, not legal, medical or financial advice. The Care Panel is an independent guide and is not part of any government body or care provider. Last checked 10 November 2026.

Related: What is the CQC? · How to choose a care home

Reviewed by The Care Panel team on 9 November 2026. This guide is general information about care in England, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules and rates change; check with your council or an adviser before making decisions.