Two care providers must make improvements following inspections by the health and social care watchdog.

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'.

The latest batch of ratings from the CQC show three providers have been rated in the Oxfordshire area in November.

A care home, Alma Barn Lodge on Didcot Road in Harwell was told it 'requires improvement' on November 4.

The home was last inspected on September 7.

In addition, 22 Woodlands Road at Sonning Common, was awarded a 'requires improvement' by the CQC on November 18.

Its latest inspection was on October 19.

Meanwhile having been inspected on October 18, Shrublands on Faringdon Road, Cumnor, Oxford – another residential care home – was judged as 'good'.

The rating was published on November 16.

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.