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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Inspection Ratings Display Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that {{org_field_name}} complies with Regulation 20A of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and the current requirements and guidance of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) concerning the display of CQC ratings.

Where {{org_field_name}} has received a CQC rating, the most recent applicable rating will be displayed accurately, legibly and conspicuously at each premises from which regulated activities are provided and on every website maintained by or on behalf of {{org_field_name}} to which Regulation 20A applies. Where applicable, the required rating information will also be displayed at the provider’s principal place of business.

The purpose of displaying ratings is to ensure that people using the service, their relatives and representatives, visitors and members of the public can readily identify the most recent CQC assessment of the quality of the service.

2. Scope

This policy applies to {{org_field_name}} where the service provider has received a CQC rating to which Regulation 20A applies.

It applies to:

• each premises from which {{org_field_name}} provides regulated activities;
• the service provider’s principal place of business, where Regulation 20A requires a rating to be displayed there;
• every website maintained by or on behalf of {{org_field_name}} on which the requirements of Regulation 20A apply; and
• all staff who are responsible for ensuring that CQC ratings are displayed, checked, maintained or updated.

Where a particular premises has not received a separate CQC rating but the service provider has received an overall rating, the provider’s overall rating will be displayed at that premises as required by Regulation 20A.

3. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy is governed principally by the following legislation and regulatory requirements:

• Health and Social Care Act 2008 – provides the statutory framework under which the Care Quality Commission regulates registered health and adult social care providers in England.
• Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, Regulation 20A – Requirement as to Display of Performance Assessments – requires applicable CQC ratings to be displayed at regulated premises, at the provider’s principal place of business where applicable, and on websites maintained by or on behalf of the service provider. The information displayed must be current, legible, conspicuous and accessible to people using the service and must show the date on which each displayed rating was given by CQC.
• CQC guidance on Regulation 20A and the display of ratings – must be taken into account when determining how ratings are displayed. Current CQC requirements include displaying the applicable rating at premises and on relevant websites no later than 21 calendar days after CQC publishes the rating on its website.
• Equality Act 2010 – {{org_field_name}} will make reasonable adjustments where required to ensure that disabled people are not placed at a substantial disadvantage in accessing information about the service’s CQC rating.

4. Related Policies

To ensure consistency in regulatory compliance and transparency, this policy aligns with:

• CH04 – Good Governance Policy – Ensures sound decision-making and compliance with care standards.
• CH35 – Duty of Candour Policy – Supports openness about service quality and inspections.
• CH16 – Health and Safety at Work Policy – Ensures safety measures when placing physical rating displays.
• CH30 – Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy – Ensures accessibility and fairness in information sharing.
• CH42 – Communication and Engagement with People We Support and Families Policy – Encourages clear, transparent, and accessible communication with stakeholders.

5. Policy Statement

{{org_field_name}} is committed to maintaining transparency regarding the quality of our services. We ensure that our CQC ratings are displayed prominently in all required locations, enabling people we support, staff, families, and visitors to make informed decisions about our care services. This policy sets out how we manage this process efficiently and in compliance with CQC requirements. By following this policy, we guarantee that ratings are updated promptly, are easy to understand, and remain accessible to all who require the information.

6. Displaying CQC Ratings

a. Physical Display of CQC Ratings

Where {{org_field_name}} has received a CQC rating to which Regulation 20A applies, at least one sign showing the most recent applicable CQC rating must be displayed at each premises from which regulated activities are provided.

The displayed rating must relate to the provider’s performance at that premises. Where the premises has not received a separate rating but the service provider has received an overall CQC rating, the service provider’s overall rating must be displayed at the premises.

Where Regulation 20A requires a display at the service provider’s principal place of business, at least one sign must show:

• the most recent rating of the service provider’s overall performance; and
• the most recent applicable ratings relating to particular premises or activities, with the display making clear which premises or activities each rating relates to.

The requirement concerning the principal place of business does not apply where the provider’s performance at the principal place of business, or at the premises of which it forms part, is itself subject to a separate CQC performance rating. In those circumstances, the requirements applying to the rated premises will be followed.

Every rating sign must:

• show the most recent applicable rating;
• show the date on which the rating was given by CQC;
• be legible;
• be displayed conspicuously; and
• be positioned in a place accessible to people using the service.

{{org_field_name}} will use the current CQC ratings poster where practicable. Where an alternative display is used, it must contain all information required by Regulation 20A and be at least as clear and conspicuous as required by CQC.

Where premises are shared with another registered provider, {{org_field_name}} remains responsible for displaying its own applicable CQC rating while it provides regulated activities from those premises.

b. Website Display of CQC Ratings

Where Regulation 20A applies, the required rating information must be displayed on every website maintained by or on behalf of {{org_field_name}} to which the regulation applies.

The website display must show:

• the Care Quality Commission’s website address;
• the place on the CQC website where the most recent assessment of the service provider’s overall performance and its performance in relation to the relevant premises or activities can be accessed;
• the most recent CQC rating of the service provider’s overall performance, where applicable;
• the most recent CQC rating relating to the relevant premises or regulated activities, where applicable;
• sufficient information to make clear which premises or activities each rating relates to; and
• the date on which each displayed rating was given by CQC.

The rating and associated information must be legible and conspicuously displayed.

The current CQC website widget may be used to meet these requirements. Where the CQC widget is not used, {{org_field_name}} must ensure that its alternative website display contains all information required by Regulation 20A.

c. Accessibility of the Display

All rating information displayed under Regulation 20A must be legible, conspicuous and accessible to people using the service.

{{org_field_name}} will make reasonable adjustments where required under the Equality Act 2010 so that a disabled person is not placed at a substantial disadvantage when accessing information about the service’s CQC rating.

Staff will provide appropriate assistance to a person who is unable to access or understand the displayed information and will support access to the current CQC report where required.

7. Updating and Monitoring Ratings Display

The Registered Manager, or another person formally delegated by the provider, will ensure that all CQC rating displays remain accurate, current, legible and conspicuous.

The following requirements apply:

• New or changed CQC ratings: Where CQC publishes a new or changed rating to which Regulation 20A applies, the applicable rating must be displayed at the required premises and on the required websites no later than 21 calendar days after CQC publishes the rating on its website.
• Most recent rating: Only the most recent applicable CQC rating is to be presented as the service’s current rating.
• Ratings review: A request to CQC for a review of a rating does not suspend the requirement to display that rating. The published rating must continue to be displayed while the review is being considered. A note may be displayed stating that a review has been requested, provided that the note does not obscure, detract from or make the CQC rating unclear or inconspicuous.
• Accuracy of displays: Physical and website displays must be checked following publication of a new CQC rating to ensure that the correct rating, relevant premises or activity, required CQC information and date of the rating are shown.
• Damaged, missing or inaccurate displays: Any CQC rating display that is missing, damaged, illegible, inaccurate, out of date or inconspicuous must be reported immediately to the Registered Manager or delegated responsible person and corrected without avoidable delay.
• Ongoing monitoring: {{org_field_name}} will maintain a system for checking that required physical and website displays continue to comply with Regulation 20A. Checks and any corrective action taken will be recorded so that the provider can demonstrate ongoing compliance.

8. Staff Responsibilities

• Registered Manager: The Registered Manager is responsible for overseeing compliance with Regulation 20A at the care home. This includes ensuring that the most recent applicable CQC rating is displayed correctly, legibly and conspicuously at the premises and that any identified failure is corrected promptly.
• Provider or Nominated Individual: The provider or Nominated Individual is responsible for ensuring that any Regulation 20A requirements applying at the provider’s principal place of business are met and that appropriate governance arrangements are in place to ensure compliance across the organisation.
• Administration or Facilities Staff: Where these responsibilities are delegated to administration or facilities staff, they must ensure that physical CQC rating posters are correctly displayed, remain legible and are replaced when a new applicable rating is published or when a display becomes damaged, inaccurate or illegible.
• Website or Digital Communications Staff: Any person responsible for a website maintained by or on behalf of {{org_field_name}} must ensure that the website displays the most recent applicable CQC rating and all information required by Regulation 20A. The required online information must be updated no later than 21 calendar days after CQC publishes a new or changed rating on its website.
• All Staff: Staff must report any missing, damaged, inaccurate, out-of-date or obscured CQC rating display to the Registered Manager or other designated responsible person as soon as it is identified.

9. Compliance and Consequences

Compliance with Regulation 20A of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 is a legal requirement.

CQC may take enforcement action where a provider fails to display its rating as required, displays inaccurate or out-of-date rating information, or fails to ensure that the required information is legible and conspicuous.

A breach of Regulation 20A is an offence. CQC may prosecute a breach of the regulation, or part of the regulation, and may proceed directly to prosecution without first serving a warning notice. CQC may also take other regulatory action in accordance with its enforcement policy.

Where {{org_field_name}} identifies a failure to comply with Regulation 20A:

• immediate action will be taken to correct the display;
• the circumstances and cause of the failure will be reviewed;
• appropriate measures will be implemented to prevent recurrence; and
• evidence of corrective action will be retained as part of the service’s governance and compliance records.

Any internal action concerning an individual member of staff will be managed in accordance with the organisation’s applicable employment, capability or disciplinary procedures and will take account of the circumstances of the individual case.

10. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if changes in CQC regulations or business needs require amendments. Feedback from staff, people we support, and external regulators will be considered in the review process to ensure continuous improvement and compliance.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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