The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is an independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. They ensure that services provided are safe, effective, caring and are responsive and well-led. The CQC does this through monitoring, inspecting, and regulating services, publishing findings, and taking action when poor care is identified. 

CQC registration ensures that care providers meet legal standards to protect the health, safety, and welfare of service users. Under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, operating without registration can lead to fines or even imprisonment.

1. Registration: 

• The CQC registers all health and adult social care providers in England.

 2. Monitoring and Inspection:

• The CQC monitors and inspects services to ensure they are meeting standards of care. 
• Inspections are conducted regularly, sometimes unannounced, to assess compliance with regulations. 
• Inspections may involve reviewing records, observing care practices, interviewing staff, and gathering feedback from service users. 

3. Rating and Reporting:

• The CQC provides ratings for services based on its inspections. 
• The ratings are published to help people choose the best care for them. 
• The CQC also publishes its findings and reports, including recommendations for improvement. 

4. Taking Action: 

• The CQC has the power to take action if they find that poor care has been provided.
• This may include issuing warnings, imposing conditions, or, in severe cases, suspending or canceling a provider's registration.

5. Encouraging Improvement: 

• The CQC encourages providers to improve the quality of their services by providing guidance and support.
• It also works with other organisations and public groups to promote quality improvement initiatives.