Last month's scores for social care services have been released – with seven services in Hampshire given new ratings.

The Care Quality Commission gives ratings to care providers and other organisations across England. It rates how well the service is performing against various criteria – with overall rankings ranging from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate'.

Figures for the last month show ratings were given to the following care homes in Hampshire:

• Dimensions 40 Cody Road: Requires improvement, last inspected on September 19.

• Hunters Lodge Care Home: Requires improvement, last inspected on August 3.

• Bishops Waltham House Care Home: Good, last inspected on October 17.

• Ashfield Care Homes Limited: Inadequate, last inspected on August 16.

• Victoria House: Good, last inspected on July 11.

• Oakcroft: Good, last inspected on October 6.

Other social care services in the area were also rated:

• Helping Hands Fareham: Good, last inspected on October 6.

The CQC gives organisations four different ratings. The worst is an 'inadequate' rating, which ordinarily results in the organisation being placed in special measures by the CQC. Social care services can also be given a less serious rating of 'requires improvement' when they are not up to standard.

At the other end of the scale, services given 'outstanding' ratings are judged to be performing exceptionally well, and a 'good' rating means the organisation is meeting expectations.