Extra Care for Older People

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) considers “extra care” to be a separate service type. If they carry out a regulated activity such as “personal care” within their remit, such organisations must by law seek registration with the CQC.

In extra care schemes the arrangements made in respect of a person’s accommodation is separate from the care elements. Because of this, these services are not classed or registered as care homes, where the accommodation and the care and support are registered as an entity. CQC will not inspect the accommodation, only the services provided under the definition of personal care.

Once registered to carry out regulated activity, the service provider must achieve all the applicable fundamental standards and will be inspected against the following five key questions.

1. Is it safe?

2. Is it effective?

3. Is it caring?

4. Is it responsive?

5. Is it well-led?

This topic, which provides a general overview of these sectors of adult social care provision, should be read with other topics on the care of older people, including Promoting Wellbeing and Responding to Mental Health Needs and Dementia Care. There is a separate topic on Supported Living for Younger Adults.