The work of the College Centre for Quality Improvement (CCQI) has created a new and enhanced role for clinicians and their professional bodies in raising standards. Its national initiatives engage directly with clinicians, managers and service users and support them to take responsibility for improving local mental health services. More than 90% of mental health services in the UK participate in the work of the CCQI. 

The CCQI:

• sets standards for the organisation and delivery of mental health services;
• engages with front-line staff and supports them  to measure their own service against these standards;
• recognises local achievement, including by offering accreditation, and identifies areas for improvement;
• works with local teams to develop and implement plans for service improvement;
• works actively with other professional bodies, so that staff of all disciplines are engaged in the work;
• works in partnership with service users and carers, and encourages local mental health services to do the same;
• works with both NHS and independent sector services in the UK (there is increasing interest from services in other countries);
• encourages mental healthcare staff from different services to support each other and share good ideas through peer-review, newsletters, email discussion groups, and workshops.