Caremark Oldham Achieves a GOOD CQC Rating

Caremark Oldham is delighted to announce a GOOD rating from the Care Quality Commission.

The inspection took place in April, and the report was published in May 2026.

This achievement reflects strong teamwork, consistent standards, and a clear commitment to safe and compassionate care.

Why Achieving a GOOD CQC Rating Is Difficult

Home care providers are facing several challenges.

First, severe operating pressures make daily coordination complex. In addition travel times, traffic, and unexpected emergencies often disrupt schedules, so teams must plan with precision and communicate clearly.

Second, the Care Quality Commission uses a rigorous five key question framework. To achieve “Good,” services must meet high standards across Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well led. Even a small weakness can influence the final rating.

Third, the workforce crisis continues across the UK. Recruitment and retention remain difficult. As a result, providers invest heavily in training, supervision, and staff wellbeing to maintain quality.

Finally, regulatory scrutiny has increased. With inspection backlogs and tougher expectations, providers must demonstrate strong compliance and consistent best practice to secure a positive CQC rating.

Consequently, achieving a GOOD rating requires sustained focus and strong leadership.

What CQC Reported About Our Service (May 2026)

The inspectors highlighted a positive learning culture. People received care that was safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well led. Leaders and staff worked together to identify risks, respond to concerns, and learn from incidents. Managers acted quickly when issues arose and used learning to strengthen practice.

Additionally, the service stayed organised and responsive, and the team coordinated care to support continuity. People received clear information about their care, and staff kept them updated throughout. The team welcomed feedback and complaints, took them seriously, and used them to strengthen the service. Furthermore, leaders promoted equitable access and introduced reasonable adjustments to support people fairly.

Moreover, the service benefited from consistent management and strong leadership. Leaders stayed visible, approachable, and supportive, which helped staff feel confident in their roles. Governance systems gave leaders clear oversight of quality, risk, and performance. Staff accessed regular supervision and training, and leaders prioritised their wellbeing to maintain high quality care.

To read the full CQC report, please click here

What Our Customers Said to CQC Inspectors (May 2026)

People and relatives shared positive experiences. They felt safe, listened to, and supported by staff who understood their routines. Feedback showed that staff were reliable, respectful, and responsive, which helped people feel reassured and confident.

In addition, evidence showed that people received support with dignity, respect, and choice. The team tailored care to individual needs and encouraged people to maintain independence and stay connected to their communities. Furthermore, staff used reasonable adjustments to improve communication and understanding.

The Care Quality Commission noted this feedback in the inspection report.

To read the full CQC report, please click here

Our Registered Manager Charlene said

“I am thrilled to have received a CQC rating of Good. Myself and the team have worked hard to improve our systems and processes and ensure the clients and care team both benefit from these.

We feel we are in a strong position to move the business forward and strive to build on this to go even further.

We hope the rating helps give confidence to our clients and potential new ones that they are in good hands with Caremark Oldham.”

Current Status of CQC Ratings in Homecare

The Homecare Association reported on the national picture in June 2026. They found that 83.5% of community social care locations had never been assessed or held a rating more than four years old. This figure has risen from 60% in 2024 and 70% in 2025. Only 16.5% of services now hold a current rating, defined as one published within the past three years by the Care Quality Commission.

Additionally, the report noted that the CQC is increasing the number of assessments. Under its new Chief Inspector, the regulator strengthened oversight, rebalanced prioritisation to include homecare, and began to speed up inspections.

Dr Jane Townson OBE, Chief Executive of the Homecare Association, said that progress at the front door of regulation is welcome. However, she highlighted that most community care services still have no current rating, which limits public understanding of quality.

To read the full article, please click here .

Reasons to Celebrate a GOOD CQC Rating

A GOOD rating is worth celebrating, especially for Caremark Oldham.

First, it reflects the dedication of our care assistants and managers. It shows they put dignity and safety first, even during difficult economic times. Additionally, it highlights the commitment our team brings to every visit, every conversation, and every customer relationship.

Second, it reassures families. A CQC rating offers objective confidence that their loved ones receive safe and compassionate care. Furthermore, it strengthens trust in our local service, which matters deeply to the people of Oldham.

Third, it boosts staff morale. Care assistants carry out demanding physical and emotional work, and they do so with genuine kindness. As a result, a GOOD rating validates their efforts and helps attract new talent who want to work in a supportive and motivated team.

Finally, it sets a high standard for Caremark Oldham. Celebrating this achievement strengthens our reputation and highlights the delivery of person‑centred care in our community. Moreover, the Care Quality Commission recognised the quality of our approach, which reinforces our commitment to continuous improvement.

Achieving a GOOD CQC rating in challenging economic times is not easy. It would be simple to let external pressures influence decisions, yet we refused to allow that. Therefore, we focused on quality, safety, compassion, and person‑led care throughout the entire process.

This achievement reflects hard work, determination, and pride across the whole Caremark Oldham team, and we are extremely proud of this success.

About Caremark Oldham

If you’re interested in a career with Caremark Oldham please view our current vacancies here. If you know someone who may need our support at home, please view our services here , we’re always here for a friendly chat.

Oldham@caremark.co.uk or call 0161 627 0891