1. RM network
Marianne Davis

2. Good and outstanding care Guide
Recommendations and practical examples from CQC regulated services
One of the most frequent questions Skills for Care has been asked since the CQC revised their inspection process in 2014 has been, “how do we achieve good or outstanding?”
Meeting the “CQC Fundamental Standards for Quality and Safety” is essential for all regulated services. However, the CQC does not produce any “how to” guides … leaving some services unclear about what is considered good and best practice
Building on some limited examples shared by the CQC and others across the sector from their own CQC inspection, Skills for Care has looked closely at the CQC inspection process and what is being recognised and celebrated as good and outstanding care.
Meeting and exceeding the CQC standards is something that not only should be celebrated across the organisation … but across the sector. Good and outstanding organisation can help set future standards and show practical (and often cost effective) ways for others to strengthen their own care and support.

3. What does Good and Outstanding ‘Safe’ look like
Safeguarding
Managing risk
Staffing
Medicines
Cleanliness, infection control and hygiene

4. Exercise
On the Flip chart paper all share what you are doing around the key area of practice
As you write this down describe how you would evidence this

6. What does Good and Outstanding ‘Safe’ look like
The registered manager had developed a culture in the service that considered imaginative ways to manage risk and increase people's opportunities. Each situation and opportunity was assessed for how it would enhance the person's quality of life and what the potential risks were.
What steps are you taking to empower the people who you and your team work with?

9. Why is this important?
Regulated services need to meet the CQC standards
Delivering good / outstanding care is essential to the continued success of services
Practical solutions and building on existing good practice is a route to success
Common mistakes can damage reputation
“I firmly believe that prevention is better than cure. It is important that we keep on top of our customers’ welfare and health needs.”
Whilst the majority of services are rated Good and Outstanding, those rated Requiring Improvement or Inadequate will need to improve or risk closure. For some, learning about common recurring issues often picked up by inspectors will help avoid similar issues. For others, more fundamental changes will be required such as culture and leadership changes
With the CQC completing their inspection of all adult social care services using their new approach, Skills for Care believed it was the right time to share learning and showcase what works, what doesn’t and how services can review their practice to put them in a strong position to achieving or exceeding the Fundamental Standards
In preparation for new guidance and support, we discussed good and outstanding practice with 100+ services including a series of focus groups and discussions with Registered Manager Networks. We also reviewed 250+ CQC inspection reports, including all services rated Outstanding up to January a selection of reports rated Good, Requiring Improvement or Inadequate.

10. What’s available? Guide Workbook Films
Our new Good and Outstanding Care resources are practical tools to provide insight for CQC regulated services
Good and outstanding care Guide
This free downloadable guide available from the CQC Regulations section of the Skills for Care website includes;
Focus on 26 areas of care across the 5 key questions covered by CQC inspection
Evidence of practical solutions from a wide range of services
Examples of how successful services plan for CQC inspection and celebrate successes
Good and outstanding care Guide: Workbook Edition
Exclusively available for Registered Managers renewing their Membership, this includes;
Hard copy of the Good and outstanding care Guide + prompts and checklists to help compliance and identifying areas for improvement
Membership is available for £35 per annum and includes additional resources, comprehensive monthly newsletters and wider discounts on other Skills for Care resources
Films + “Spotlight On” Case Studies
Focusing on four services rated Good or Outstanding, the films show the impact delivering high standards of care have on the managers, staff, people who need care and support … and wider community

11. What’s included
Recommendations, tips, practical examples … and what to avoid
The guide and workbook key content includes insight into 26 care themes including;
Safe - safeguarding, risk assessments staffing levels, medication
Effective – recruitment, induction, continued development, health and wellbeing
Caring - kindness and compassion, involving people, dignity and respect
Responsive – care plans, individual needs, complaints and concerns, Mental Capacity Act, End of life care
Well-led – vision and values, visibility, leadership, staff support, community and partnerships, continued improvement etc.
Each of these section includes
Recommendations drawn from recurring good practice seen in reports and advised by services
Practical examples of how the service has achieved this, many of which have been singled out by CQC inspectors
Examples of the comments given to CQC Inspectors and documented in their reports to back up the rating they have awarded
A list of the most frequently recurring issues that lead to a poor inspection rating
A list of products and services available to help you to better understand the issues and plan future improvements
These themes can all be accessed in the main guide and workbook edition … but employers can also use Care Improvement Works to select those most relevant to their needs

13. Guide, workbook, films, examples, support
All latest resources are available from
As the CQC continues to refine their inspection process and what they look at with providers, Skills for Care will periodically update our guide
We are always looking for Good and Outstanding services to celebrate and if you have something you wish to share that will enhance future versions of this guide, let us know via