CQC sets out lessons from first tranche of local authority adults’ services assessments

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has set out lessons from the first tranche of assessments of local authority adults’ services since it resumed performance checks in December 2023.

It said that support for carers was in need of improvement, while authorities also needed to enhance their understanding of population equality and diversity issues and use of data, though reablement was an area of strength.

CQC deputy directors Amanda Stride and Lella Andrews made the comments in a presentation to a Local Government Association webinar on its assessment system for councils in England.

Need to improve support for carers

Stride and Andrews said support for unpaid carers was an area of improvement identified by the CQC’s assessments to date.

This included improving the identification of carers, the range and capacity of services for them, the timeliness of assessments and the personalisation of support, based on the age and needs of the person being cared for.

The conclusion reflects the results of a recent Carers UK survey, which found that over half of carers felt they required more recognition of their needs from councils, with some reporting long waits for assessments or support.

The CQC officials also pointed to understanding of population equality and diversity issues as an area for improvement, and said councils’ inconsistent use of data made it harder for them to effectively plan and monitor services.

Challenges with recruitment and transitions

Transitions for young people to adults’ services were often challenging, especially if they did not start early, while councils faced ongoing recruitment pressures, particularly in relation to occupational therapists.

However, reablement was an area of strength, with the CQC having seen good practice in its use to support people to regain independence, said Stride and Andrews.

They added that, while the CQC’s assessment methodology would not change, it was working with sector bodies to make improvements, including in how it gathers evidence of lived experience and collects provider views.

Councils ‘want to work with the CQC to improve process’

In response to the findings, the chair of the LGA’s community wellbeing board, David Fothergill, said: “Councils are keen to learn and improve services. Identifying common themes is essential not only for addressing challenges but also for sharing what works well.

“We want to work with the CQC to ensure the assurance process is productive and valuable, helping councils build on strengths as well as tackle areas for improvement.”

He pointed to the LGA’s work, with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), through the Partners in Care and Health sector-led improvement initiative, which “plays a key role in supporting the sector to continually drive progress”.

Partners in Care and Health has published guidance for councils on learning from CQC assessments carried out to date, including reflections on the process from adults’ services directors in authorities that have been assessed and an analysis of what it takes to get a good rating, based on the first set of reports.