How to Get an Outstanding CQC Rating in 2026

As we enter 2026, many care organisations are asking: how can we achieve an Outstanding CQC rating? Advantage Accreditation is the perfect way to prepare your organisation for growth, innovation, and recognition.

Accreditation is more than a certificate; it’s a commitment to excellence. It ensures your training meets industry standards, improves your services, and shows learners, staff, and regulators that you take quality seriously.

Why Accreditation Matters

Insights from the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) local authority assessments highlight key areas for achieving Outstanding:

Strong governance and leadership: Organisations rated Good or Outstanding excelled in leadership, management, and sustainability. Visible, effective leadership supports stability, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Partnerships and collaboration: Working with communities and partners improves outcomes. Partnerships were the sector’s strongest-performing area.
Assessment and equity: Many authorities scored lower on Needs Assessment and Equity, showing these are key areas for improvement.
Safeguarding and safe transitions: Maintaining strong safeguarding practices remains a challenge for many.

Excellence comes from combining strong leadership, innovative learning, equitable access, and integrated services.

How Advantage Accreditation Helps

Advantage Accreditation provides a structured, supportive path to high standards:

Guidance every step of the way: Our team supports you from application to certification, making the process smooth.
Efficient and cost-effective: Save time and resources while maintaining quality.
Opportunities for growth and innovation: Access ready-to-use courses across many topics to diversify and improve your training.
Focus on excellence: Accreditation strengthens learning, improvement, and quality assurance, helping you meet or exceed CQC standards.

Investing in your organisation now sets you up for success. Achieving Outstanding isn’t just about meeting minimum standards; it’s about creating a culture of excellence, learning, and innovation.

With Advantage Accreditation, you can:

Strengthen governance and leadership
Improve assessment and promote equity
Ensure robust safeguarding and care continuity
Enhance partnerships and collaboration
Build a reputation for excellence recognised by learners, staff, and regulators