Should I Aim for Outstanding – What are the Costs and Benefits?

According to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) publications, there are approximately 16,500 care homes in the UK, with around 14,768 of these located in England alone. But only about 557 of these care homes hold an “outstanding” rating from the CQC. In other words, fewer than 4% of care homes in England reach this standard which just shows how difficult this can be.  

For domiciliary care, the percentage is even lower. Out of 15,817 home care agencies listed by the CQC, only 446 are rated outstanding, that’s just 2.8%! Most services sit at “Good”, meaning they’re one step below but have a clear opportunity to move up.

Achieving outstanding in domiciliary care takes more than compliance. It means delivering personalised, responsive, and truly person-centred care every single day. For care services in England, here is an in-depth article on how to improve your CQC rating, which breaks down the methodology behind the CQC rating process to help you achieve an outstanding rating. Some of the things regulators look for include:  

• Person-centred care – Care is tailored to each individual’s needs and goals, with respect for dignity and independence at the core.
• Effective leadership – Managers set the tone, empower staff, and create a culture where learning and innovation thrive.
• Robust governance – Data and feedback are used to monitor quality in real time, concerns are acted on quickly, and staff training is continuous.
• Innovation and integration – Technology is used to improve communication, record-keeping, and care planning, while services link closely with wider health and social care systems.
  

Care homes face similar challenges to domiciliary care but have their own things to consider when it comes to inspections. To get outstanding in care homes, providers must excel across several domains, such as:

• Safety and clinical effectiveness – From infection control to medication management, outstanding homes show consistently high standards backed by evidence.
• Resident experience and well-being – Activities are meaningful, care recipient feedback is taken seriously, and the home feels like a community, not just a service.
• Skilled and motivated workforce – Staff feel supported, trained, and proud of their work and ensure appropriate staffing levels to meet care recipient needs with compassion and respect.
• Environment and facilities – Clean, accessible, and comfortable surroundings that genuinely enhance quality of life.
  

When these factors come together, care recipients enjoy better outcomes and inspectors see the difference when services meet the CQC’s rigorous outstanding criteria.

Outstanding isn’t labelled the same way across the UK:

• Scotland – The Care Inspectorate rates services as “excellent” rather than “outstanding”. Their guidelines explain what sector-leading care looks like in practice. check out the Care Inspectorate quality grades here.
• Wales – Since April 2025, all providers must display their ratings publicly. Care Inspectorate Wales offers guides and checklists to help services prepare. Here is a pre-launch checklist written by Care Inspectorate Wales, plus their quick understanding rating guide for care workers.
• Northern Ireland – The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) publishes inspection guidance specific to providers. Check out their guidance for regulated service providers page.
  

An outstanding rating doesn’t just look good on paper. It brings real benefits to all care services, such as:

• Stronger reputation and trust – Families and commissioners feel more confident choosing an outstanding service. 
• Competitive edge – Outstanding services attract demand and can negotiate better contracts.
• Happier staff – High standards give staff pride in their work, reducing turnover.
• Better outcomes for people – Most importantly, care recipients enjoy consistently higher wellbeing and quality of life.

While the benefits are compelling, the costs and commitments should not be underestimated. You will need to think about:

• Financial investment – Training, tech upgrades, and improvements to facilities often come with a price tag.
• Time and operational commitment – Embedding new practices and tracking outcomes takes sustained effort.
• Increased expectations – Once you’re rated outstanding, regulators and families expect you to keep it that way, which makes it a big, lifelong commitment. 

Deciding whether to aim for an outstanding rating requires balancing significant investment against clear, long-term benefits. Understanding how many outstanding care homes in the UK currently achieve this and learning how to achieve outstanding in your care service should encourage managers to make strategic decisions that align with their organisation’s goals and resources.

With the right approach and tools, care providers can not only meet but also exceed regulatory expectations, enhancing outcomes for those they serve while strengthening their service’s market position. One of the best ways to get started on your outstanding journey is to digitise your company and invest in the right software for you, which is where we can help.

Access Care Compliance is designed to simplify and support this path for care providers across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our comprehensive compliance and quality management software offers real-time monitoring and reporting, streamlined audits and documentation, staff training and competency management, and customisable quality improvement plans.

One of the things that makes our software different to the rest is our user-friendly interface, scalable design that can be used by providers of all sizes, and dedicated support teams who understand the nuances of health and social care regulation. With over 30 years of experience working with care providers nationwide, every inch of our digital solutions has been created with our customers in mind.

If you’re interested in learning more about Access Care Compliance software or any of our other health and social care solutions, please get in touch with one of our experts today or watch a demo here.