Alarm at failure to inspect 60% of England homecare providers in four years or longer

The Homecare Association says a lack of inspectors to cover a rapidly growing sector and ineffective leadership at CQC are among the causes of the crisis. Photograph: Maskot/Getty Images

Care leaders have warned of a serious safety risk as research revealed 60% of homecare providers had not been inspected for at least four years, or ever.

As the government prepares to receive a report on profound failings at its Care Quality Commission (CQC) that triggered the chief executive’s removal this summer and a public apology, the Homecare Association warned 37% of providers of domiciliary care services had not been rated for at least four years and 23% had never been rated.