CQC Rating Principles Explainer

Explore how CQC's published adult social-care aggregation principles normally combine the five key-question ratings. This is not a prediction of your rating.

This tool runs entirely in your browser. No data is stored or transmitted. It is not a CQC judgement, prediction, or score.

How CQC adult social-care rating principles usually aggregate

CQC rates each of the five key questions individually, then normally combines them using published adult social-care aggregation principles. This explainer applies those principles to the ratings you enter. It is not a CQC judgement, prediction, or score, and CQC can depart from the principles using professional judgement.

Two or more key questions Inadequate → normally Inadequate overall
Exactly one Inadequate → not automatic; CQC professional judgement required
Two or more Requires Improvement → normally Requires Improvement
At least two Outstanding with the rest Good → normally Outstanding
No Inadequate and no more than one Requires Improvement → normally Good

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Based on CQC's current assessment framework and quality statements. Verified against CQC primary guidance on 2 July 2026. This is a free preparation aid, not professional advice, a CQC score, or a CQC rating prediction.