All health and social care providers in England must be registered with the Care Quality Commission.

The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England, and is responsible for making sure that care providers meet the fundamental standards of care, and assessing the quality of care provided, by asking five key questions:

• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it caring?
• Is it responsive?
• Is it well-led?

The Care Quality Commission analyses and and inspects services, asks care providers to assess themselves and collects information to monitor how care providers are performing. They undertake reviews and inspections of health and social care services on an ongoing basis to ensure they remain compliant with the standards.