The National Care Association (NCA) has cautiously welcomed the decision of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), announced in May, to phase out the current quality rating system (star ratings) for registered social care services, and work with stakeholders to develop a replacement system without delay.

The NCA has long been an opponent of the star ratings system introduced by the former regulator – the commission for Social care Inspection – saying it was a subjective system based on the views of individual inspectors. NCA chairman Nadra Ahmed said that, despite the current system being not 'fit for purpose', many local authorities had used judgments in determining fees and had rewarded providers according to their rating.

“We therefore believe it is essential that a new system is developed and in place as soon as possible,” said Mrs Ahmed.

“Many care providers will have been working hard to improve their quality rating and now they will have to wait for a new system to be introduced before they can be re assessed. We urge the Care Quality Commission to act quickly, in consultation with stakeholders, to develop a fair and equitable quality rating system which has clear outcome-based objectives to regain provider confidence.”

By contrast, the English Community Care Association (ECCA), has expressed disappointment at the phasing out of star ratings sooner than the CQC had suggested in its published timescales.

ECCA chief executive Martin Green said that, while the CQC had told providers it was interested in quality, it brought forward the abolition of the star ratings system without a clearly defined timescale for its replacement.

“The manner of this announcement, the lack of consultation, and the fact that CQC is not even adhering to its own published timescale gives us grave concern about its commitment to quality and its understanding and engagement with the social care sector,” said Mr Green.

“The CQC has been in existence for 13 months and it is becoming increasingly clear that it has little understanding of the social care sector, is administratively and bureaucratically shambolic, and lacks leadership and direction.”

“A huge mistakle” is how charitable provider Abbeyfield describes the CQC’s decision to abandon star ratings. The soviety’s chief executive Paul Allen said it was imperative that a grading system which is simple and easy to understand is in place for the public to refer to when selecting a care home.

“This is a dreadful move by the CQC,” said Mr Allen. “The current grading system goes much further than either passing or failing a home – it helps families, based on the seven scored categories, determine the right homes for them and their loved ones.

“The concern among many within the industry is that without a standardised rating system managed by an independent national body, a significant number of people could be at risk of moving into care homes that aren’t suitable for their requirements.”

The CQC has said it will work closely with the adult social care sector in developing a new system to replace quality ratings for registered services which will cease ahead of the new registration system and new standards, which come into force on 1 October under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

CQC chief executive Cynthia Bower said any new system should be “fair and transparent”.

“Because there will be  new standards and a new registration system from October 1, it makes sense to develop a new way to compare quality across adult social care services,” said Ms Bower. “We want to work with the sector to develop a fair and transparent system.

“We are very open to different ideas and will be calling on people to tell us how they think it should work.

“Although the current quality rating system will stop, we will still be conducting inspections and publishing information about standards of care. Our biggest priority right now is introducing the new registration system that, for the first time, will bring NHS, independent healthcare and adult social care under the same system of regulation.

“This is a big task and we want to make sure that it goes as smoothly as possible.

“We are also committed to providing clear, useful and fair information about standards in adult social care services. This is extremely important for people making choices about services, as well as for councils that are commissioning services.”