In addition to inspections, the CQC is responsible for taking action to protect people who use care services. They also speak as an independent regulatory body, sharing their views on quality issues in health and social care to help drive positive change.
CQC ratings matter because they provide a trusted, independent measure of a healthcare or social care provider’s safety, effectiveness and leadership.
Having access to these scores enables families to make more informed decisions when selecting social care providers. Higher ratings improve a provider’s reputation, often leading to better recruitment and more funding, ultimately improving client outcomes.
An ‘Outstanding’ CQC score is the highest possible rating that a health or care service in England can achieve. It demonstrates exceptional care and indicates that the provider consistently exceeds regulatory standards.
Only around 3-4% of care providers in England achieve an Outstanding rating, and Acquiesce has achieved this prestigious rating in two consecutive inspections, in 2022 and 2026.
To achieve this rating, Acquiesce has been inspected over five core lines of enquiry.
“They had a proactive and positive culture of safety based on openness and honesty, in which concerns about safety were listened to, safety events were investigated and reported thoroughly, and lessons were learned to continually identify and embed good practices.”
“Staff were encouraged and valued for raising concerns and sharing improvement ideas.”
“Staff had access to comprehensive training includes safety expertise, human factors, and communication skills.”
“There was a culture of openness and collaboration where safety is everyone’s top priority.”
“There was a very positive culture within the service. Staff at all levels were extremely passionate about the service and the clients they cared for.”
“Leaders had a good understanding of the services they managed and could explain clearly how their team worked to provide high quality care. Staff were extremely positive about managers and leaders, describing them as visible, supportive, and approachable.”
“All the clients and carers we spoke with were overwhelmingly positive about the service. All clients said it was the best rehabilitation service they had been to. Past clients commented that the service had saved their lives and would not be here today, providing them with the tools and support to succeed.”
“They all told us the staff were amazing and went the extra mile to support them. They told us that the 12 steps programme was amazing. They praised the staff at the service. Some told us they didn’t want to leave but when they did, they received continued support.”
“Clients told us they had been able to return to employment, and they had learnt new skills to move onto independent living as well as improving their confidence. They told us they had been supported to live healthier lives and had accessed yoga, meditation, massage, Reiki and Pilates whilst at the service.”
“Feedback about communication was positive. Clients consistently highlighted staff’s proactive and supportive communication. They described how staff were available outside treatment times if they needed support. They said they felt that they could contact staff at any time and told us staff were always there for them.”
“Clients were overwhelmingly positive with the rehabilitation programme especially about the location they stayed in during their treatment. They told us it was a more realistic rehabilitation programme as they had to cook, clean, make their own shopping lists as well as doing their own washing and budgeting.”
Craig Howarth, CQC Deputy Director, said the following:
“At both Acquiesce services, we found exemplary services which had an inclusive and transparent culture.
Every person, whether staff, people using the service, or their families, felt genuinely heard, respected, and valued.
Kind and caring staff went above and beyond to enable people to feel fully cared for and empowered them to live full and happy lives.”
People using the services told inspectors that it was the best rehabilitation service they had experienced. Some former residents said the support they received had saved their lives and helped them overcome their condition.
Craig also said, “Leaders and staff should be very proud of the findings in this report. It’s clear the service was committed to treating people as individuals and empowering them to achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives.”
Within the report, our staff were praised for their openness and honesty, their proactive attitude to safety, and their empowerment of our clients.
“I felt like I had people I could open up to, people I could speak to, people I had things in common with. It made me realise that I wasn’t on my own.”
“It was life-changing for me, and it still is to this day.”
“I’m really looking forward to the future. It’s looking bright for me.”
“I’m so glad I’m so far removed from that now.”
Clients who attend higher-quality care settings can experience a much better quality of life when it comes to gaining independence, boosting well-being, and improving their health.
Acquiesce continues supporting clients even after leaving the rehab centre through excellent aftercare services, including regular phone calls and access to our exclusive members’ area for people who have experienced the highly transformative journey of Acquiesce.
Choosing a better provider means you can benefit from reassurance that your loved one will have a positive experience. With consecutive ‘Outstanding’ ratings, Acquiesce is one of the highest-quality care providers in England, as rated by the independent body, the CQC.
Effective care needs to be personal. By choosing high-quality providers, you receive responsive care that is tailored to the exact needs of the individual. Rehab is not a one-size-fits-all approach, highlighting the need for bespoke services.
We provide all clients with core addiction support, as well as a range of other activities tailored to the individual’s needs and goals. Some examples include yoga, Reiki, regular gym visits and more.
Excellent providers not only deliver great services but also offer full transparency and clear communication. This is a huge positive for families, carers and relatives whose loved one is accessing rehab support.
We treat all clients with respect and maintain regular contact with family members, carers, and relatives to ensure transparency throughout the rehab journey.
A compassionate team can have highly significant benefits. At Acquiesce, our team are highly professional, always ensuring client-centred care and maintaining safety at all times.
As a professional referrer and healthcare professional, you need to ensure you’re making the right choices for your patients. This rating gives you complete reassurance that Acquiesce is equipped with the safety, effectiveness and leadership skills to take care of people.
Having high-quality providers ready and waiting is ideal, as it allows for faster discharges when referring people to specialist services. Admitting to these providers means patients will have bespoke care plans and have access to excellent support.
Individuals seeking support and their families are often much more satisfied with care when it comes from a leading provider, such as Acquiesce.
The team at Acquiesce is extremely proud to have been awarded the ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating for two consecutive inspections.