Assessment framework for local authority assurance
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Purpose and use of rating characteristics
Our strategic framework for assessing local authorities focuses on people’s outcomes and experiences of care and support, including unpaid carers. It supports us to deliver the priorities of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care for the assessment of local authorities. The approach enables us to make best use of data and insights to understand quality and ultimately to help local authorities and the wider care sector to improve.
When assessing how well local authorities are delivering their regulated care functions under Part 1 of The Care Act (2014), we review evidence across a range of categories for each quality statement in our strategic framework. We then apply a quality statement score in line with our scoring framework to support decisions, as follows:
1 = Evidence shows significant shortfalls
2 = Evidence shows some shortfalls
3 = Evidence shows a good standard
4 = Evidence shows an exceptional standard
Each quality statement in the strategic framework is supported by rating characteristics to provide additional clarity about our expectations.
Rating characteristics suggest what care and support, as well as governance and leadership might look like for each quality statement across each judgement level in the framework.
Their purpose is as a guide and indication, rather than an exhaustive description or checklist for each quality statement. While some fundamental characteristics will be common across all local authorities, how these characteristics become real and meaningful for a local population will be different in each local area.
The rating characteristics describe some of the key features we might expect at each judgement level. They are not intended to be used as criteria to determine the score of each quality statement within the assessment framework. Rating characteristics support the professional judgement of assessment teams to determine the scores, and ultimately a local authority’s rating.
They are considered alongside external best practice standards and guidance, and the Secretary of State’s priorities for the assessment of local authorities. They are also supported by processes to ensure judgements about ratings are consistent, proportionate and in line with the assessment framework.
Rating characteristics are published alongside the strategic framework and approach for assessing local authorities. We will review and amend them as required through engagement, in line with changing standards. These changes may also be influenced by government policy, published best practice guidance and changes in the wider sector.
When we refer to ‘people’ in the rating characteristics this is intended to relate to people who are receiving care and support, and all types of unpaid carers.
How our rating characteristics are shaped by what we have heard
Our final rating characteristics have been informed by learning from our baseline assessment activity and developed by working with local authorities, people, including unpaid carers, and a range of internal and external stakeholders1.
In late autumn 2025 and early Spring 2026, we shared draft versions of the rating characteristics, to prompt meaningful engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. Respondents considered the content, alongside the style and structure of the draft rating characteristics.
We value the rich feedback we received and thank the people and organisations who took the time to share their views with us.
What we heard through our engagement
There was broad support for introducing rating characteristics to support the strategic assessment approach, and respondents felt this was a genuine opportunity for co-production and including experts by experience.
Rating characteristics will be helpful to local authorities for self-assessment purposes, to support them to develop focused plans that improve the quality of care and support.
The focus on people’s experiences and outcomes, including unpaid carers, and the potential to drive improvement if outcomes are consistent and comparable was welcomed. Respondents noted the potential of the rating characteristics to support consistency and a clear view of what good looks like across local authorities.
There was a desire to see a strong methodology applied throughout the characteristics, with clear differences and an emphasis on the progression between each score. Respondents wanted metrics to support the rating characteristics, where appropriate.
Respondents wanted a strong emphasis on people’s experiences, particularly in the ‘exceptional standard’ where there should be significant and measurable impact on people’s wellbeing and outcomes, including unpaid carers.
There was a request for CQC to better highlight people’s wellbeing throughout, with the risks to people’s safety and wellbeing particularly emphasised in the ‘significant shortfalls’ section. The need for alignment to statutory duties and principles of Making Safeguarding Personal was also highlighted.
Respondents felt that the structure of the rating characteristics should meet a range of different accessibility needs.
What we changed as a result
Following our engagement about the draft rating characteristics, we have reflected the valuable feedback where possible in this final version.
In summary, we have:
aligned headings with the scoring framework (1 to 4) that we assess quality statements against
clarified that assessors may consider evidence for a quality statement to be an ‘exceptional standard’ when the ‘good standard’ is met and additional characteristics are evident
improved the connection and progression between scores, providing a developmental pathway for local authorities
aligned the rating characteristics more explicitly to regulated care functions under Part 1 of The Care Act (2014) and Making Safeguarding Personal principles, where appropriate
included clear and distinct level descriptors, and improved the distinction between system outcomes and process inputs
amended content to reflect feedback, particularly highlighting people’s experiences, sensory issues, risks to people’s safety and wellbeing, digital exclusion and intersectional need
considered different ways to present the rating characteristics to ensure they meet the needs of a range of audiences.
We will review and amend these rating characteristics as required through engagement, in line with changing standards. Any changes may also be influenced by government policy, published best practice guidance and changes in the wider sector.