The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is a regulatory institution within England’s health and social care landscape, playing an essential role in safeguarding the wellbeing of individuals who rely on care services. As the independent regulator for health and adult social care in England, the CQC ensures that these services provide safe, effective, and high-quality care. Its mandate is clear: protect service users, encourage improvements, and uphold national standards. But what does the CQC really do, who do they regulate, and why is their work so important?