CQC unveils plans for excellence scheme in adult social care

The Care Quality Commission has unveiled plans to develop a new excellence scheme for adult social care.

Key features of the scheme, which is due to be launched in April 2012, are:

• It will be CQC-owned, but delivered by other organisations under licence
• It will be voluntary, with social care providers choosing to apply for the award
• There will be a proportionate charge
• Awards will be published by the CQC alongside its own reports on whether or not providers are meeting essential standards.

The CQC said it would launch a consultation in May on how to define excellence in adult social care. This will build on work already carried out on its behalf by the Social Care Institute for Excellence.

At the same time as the consultation, the CQC will seek seek expressions of interest to deliver the scheme.

CQC chief executive Cynthia Bower said: “CQC’s role is to identify and react to signs that people may be at risk of receiving poor care. This means we can say we don’t see signs of risk at a provider, but this is not the same as saying a provider is offering ‘excellent’ care.

“We do, however, firmly believe that care providers should aspire to deliver the best possible outcomes. An excellence award can recognise best practice, be a spur to improvement for providers who already meet CQC’s essential standards, and can help people who need longer-term care to make choices.”

The CQC’s announcements comes less than year after the Commission stopped awarding ‘star ratings’ under the Care Standards Act 2000.