The 6 Cs of Care Explained

The "6 Cs" are a set of core values that underpin all health and social care provision in the UK. Originally developed by NHS England in 2012 as part of the "Compassion in Practice" strategy, the 6 Cs are now the benchmark for quality care across all care homes, hospitals, and community services.

What are the 6 Cs?

The 6 Cs are Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment.

When you visit a care home, or when the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects a service, these values are exactly what you should expect to see lived out by the staff every single day.

• Care: This is the core business of any health or social care setting. Care must be tailored to the individual, promoting their dignity, independence, and overall wellbeing. It means providing the right care, for the right person, at the right time.
• Compassion: Care must be delivered with empathy, respect, and kindness. Compassion is what makes care feel "human". It's about staff taking the time to truly understand a resident's feelings, fears, and personal history.
• Competence: Good intentions are not enough; staff must have the clinical and technical knowledge to do their jobs safely and effectively. Competence means continuous training, understanding complex needs like dementia or diabetes, and knowing when to ask for help.
• Communication: This is central to successful caring relationships and effective team working. Good communication means listening to residents, involving families in care planning, and ensuring safe handovers between staff shifts. It includes non-verbal communication for residents who struggle to speak.
• Courage: Staff must have the courage to do the right thing, to speak up when they have concerns, and to advocate for the vulnerable. It takes courage to challenge poor practice, report safeguarding concerns, and embrace new, better ways of working.
• Commitment: A commitment to improving care and experience for residents. It means going the extra mile, turning up dedicated to the job, and committing to ongoing learning and professional development.

How do the 6 Cs affect CQC Ratings?

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) heavily relies on the 6 Cs when inspecting care homes. In fact, the CQC's five Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs) — asking if a service is Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led — are essentially the 6 Cs translated into inspection criteria.

For example, a home that scores "Outstanding" in the "Caring" domain will have demonstrated exceptional Compassion and Communication. A home that scores highly in "Well-led" will have management that demonstrates Courage and Commitment.

What to look for on a care home visit

When you visit a potential care home for your loved one, keep the 6 Cs in mind:

• Do staff look rushed, or do they take the time to chat with residents? (Compassion)
• Are call bells answered promptly and politely? (Care & Commitment)
• Do staff proactively update you on your loved one's condition? (Communication)
• Is the home visibly clean, and are medications locked away safely? (Competence)