What Does CQC ‘Outstanding’ Really Mean in Care?
When families begin searching for care, one question quietly carries the most weight: Who can we truly trust?
In England, that answer often starts with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)—the independent body responsible for inspecting and rating care services.
At Home Instead Taunton & West Somerset, we are proud to be the only CQC Outstanding rated home care provider in the area—a recognition that reflects not just quality systems, but the lived experiences of our clients and team.
How Does a Care Provider Get a CQC Rating?
The CQC assesses all health and social care services in England, evaluating the quality, safety, and effectiveness of care. Each service receives one of four ratings:
- Outstanding — Exceptionally high-quality care
- Good — Meets expectations and regulatory standards
- Requires Improvement — Some areas must improve
- Inadequate — Serious concerns requiring urgent action
The rating is based on five key questions the CQC asks of all providers:
- Is it safe? – Protection from harm and risk
- Is it effective? – Evidence-based, outcome-driven care
- Is it caring? – Compassion, dignity, empathy
- Is it responsive? – Personalised and timely support
- Is it well-led? – Strong leadership, governance, and oversight
To be rated Outstanding, services must score between 88–100% in their assessments, reflecting exceptional performance across multiple domains. According to a 2024 report Only 4% of services were rated ‘outstanding’ and 78% were good.
Why ‘Outstanding’ Matters for Families
An Outstanding rating isn’t just a technical achievement—it’s a reflection of real experiences:
- Clients feel safe, respected, and valued
- Families feel reassured and supported
- Care is consistent, responsive, and deeply personal
And because so few providers reach this level, it offers something incredibly important: confidence in your choice.
In the words of a family member:
“Mum always looks forward to her care visits and really the carers who come. The carers are consistently friendly, helpful, and reliable. We also have regular reviews and excellent communication with our very supportive care coordinator, who keeps the family updated on any concerns and offers helpful advice on available resources. As a result, we feel very confident that Mum is receiving excellent care at home, care that can adapt to the changes that come with ageing and the gradual loss of memory.”
We’re also proud to have earned a 9.9/10 satisfaction rating from clients and families — a reflection of trust, appreciation, and lived experience.
What Makes Our Care Outstanding
- We build meaningful relationships
We believe exceptional care happens when there’s time to connect. That’s why our minimum visit time is 60 minutes, allowing our Care Professionals to provide thoughtful, unhurried support.
- We help individuals remain independent at home
Whether it’s dementia support in Trull, live‑in care in Wellington, or companionship in local villages, we tailor our approach so that every person can thrive safely in the place they love most — their home.
- We invest in exceptional training and clinical leadership
Our team benefits from expert leadership, including our directors – two local GPs, and highly experienced care managers. We take pride in developing skills that go far beyond mandatory training, particularly in dementia and complex care.
- We demonstrate the leadership qualities the CQC values
According to the CQC, Outstanding providers show strong vision, compassionate culture, and continuous improvement. These values are embedded in our daily practice.
You can read our CQC report here: https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-988855301
Dr Mark Hunt, our director: “As a Somerset GP of 30 years and now working in home care I have always wanted to try and give people outstanding care that keeps them in their own home as it is often the sanctuary that people want. It is our ambition as an outstanding rated provider to do all we can for clients and to keep aiming to do better than is expected.”
Experience the Difference
Outstanding care isn’t just about meeting standards—it’s about exceeding expectations, every single day.
If you’re exploring care options for yourself or a loved one, Home Instead Taunton & West Somerset is here to help guide you with compassion, expertise, and understanding.
Because everyone deserves care that feels as good as it is professional.
Call Us for Friendly Advice
Our free Care Readiness Call is a no‑pressure way to understand the support available and how our Outstanding care could benefit your family. Let’s talk when it suits you.
