Agenda item

The Strategic Director for Social Care and Education submits a report providing the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission with an update on progress against the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Assessment action plan.

The Strategic Director of Social Care and Education submitted a report to provide the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission with an update on progress against the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Assessment action plan.

The Assistant City Mayor for Adult Social Care introduced the item and explained that, although no formal recommendations had been made following the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment, the Council had developed its own Improvement Action Plan in November 2025. The Action Plan focused on 5 key priority areas, including reducing waiting times and strengthening safeguarding arrangements. It was acknowledged that improvement would take time, however good progress had already been made and regular updates would continue to be provided to the Commission throughout the year.

The Strategic Director presented the report. Key points to note were as follows:

• No formal recommendations had been issued by the CQC following the assessment. However, the Council had developed its own Improvement Action Plan in November 2025.
• The Action Plan focused on 5 key priority areas:

­   Improving the experience of carers

­   Accessible and improved information, advice and guidance

­   Waiting times and timeliness

­   Data and governance

­   Safeguarding

­   Care Market and Quality

• Positive progress had been made across all priority areas, although further work remained.
• Waiting lists had reduced by approximately one third, largely through increased staffing capacity, improved use of resources and changes to assessment processes.
• Improvements had also been made to the accuracy of data recording, providing greater confidence in performance information.
• Work was continuing with other local authorities and specialist data organisations to strengthen data quality, identify gaps and improve reporting ahead of future CQC assessments.
• The ongoing Local Government Reorganisation would not affect delivery of the Improvement Action Plan, with work continuing alongside any future service changes.

In response to questions and comments from Members, it was noted that:

• Progress made in reducing waiting lists was welcomed. It was noted that waiting lists had reduced through a combination of increased staffing capacity, improvements to assessment processes and more accurate data recording, which had also strengthened confidence in the performance information.
• The importance of continuing to improve data quality was discussed. Work was underway with specialist organisations and other local authorities to strengthen data infrastructure, improve reporting processes and identify any remaining gaps ahead of future CQC assessments. It was suggested that learning from authorities demonstrating good practice should continue where appropriate.
• Carers were highlighted as a key area for further improvement. It was noted that relatively few standalone carers' assessments had been completed compared with the number of carers known to services. Development of the Carers Strategy remained a priority, with greater emphasis on co-production, preventative support and recognising the diverse needs of carers across the city, including the impact on working-age carers and those with intergenerational caring responsibilities.
• Further information was requested on waiting times, including how many people waiting for assessments subsequently required care packages and whether delays had resulted in any adverse outcomes. It was confirmed that a more detailed report on waiting times was being developed, including breakdowns by service area and locality.
• The need for future reports to include further information on accessibility was highlighted, including Easy Read information, translated materials, digital exclusion, respite provision, social contact, communication barriers and frontline staff awareness of voluntary and community sector services. It was confirmed that future reports would provide more detailed thematic updates.
• Adult Social Care debt, billing processes and direct payments were also discussed. It was noted that additional resources had been introduced to strengthen financial support for residents, including assistance with benefits and charging arrangements. Work was also underway to review the effectiveness of the current direct payments approach.

AGREED:

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    For a report to come to the next meeting on waiting times.

3.    For future reports to consider progress at other Local Authorities such as Leeds and Manchester.

4.    For the report to become a regular fixture for Scrutiny.

5.    For further consideration of working age carers, short breaks, social contact for carers, ‘Easy Read’ / digital exclusion, frontline staff service knowledge and named workers.