The NCF has a clear purpose to promote quality outcomes for people who receive care and support services.

This requires that service users are at the heart of any definition of quality. The NCF will:

• Actively develop ways to involve, and get feedback from, service users
• Promote best practice in the delivery of quality care and support services
• Encourage the use of commissioning and contracting arrangements to improve service quality
• Support continuous service improvements and the development of quality systems
• Demonstrate a commitment to effective management and governance and encourage professional management development programmes
• Value and invest in staff
• Create opportunities for on going learning, development and training
• Encourage innovation to develop new services and new ways of working
• Share information and research findings to improve the quality of care and support services
• Ensure NCF members are at the cutting edge of service and development and best practice
• Promote the important role played by the not-for-profit sector

The National Care Forum's Objectives:

• To speak as one "not for profit" voice on behalf of NCF Members at a national level
• To inform the Department of Health and other national bodies of the facts, potential solutions and to have a seat at the relevant policy forums
• To work as one body to develop improved standards for all service users as well as improved status, career development and recognition for staff
• To be acknowedged as a source of expertise in the care sector
• To work in partnership with local authorities and health services
• To improve the effectiveness of the NCF members through the provision of information, policy analysis, knowledge exchange and representation to develop and deliver care services