Four of the five local authorities helping pilot new adult social care assessments have been given ‘good’ indicative ratings by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The assessments form part of a new assurance framework for 153 councils in England with responsibility for adult social care, due to start in December.
The CQC looked at nine quality statements to assess how well each pilot local authority is meeting its responsibilities. Common themes included:
- Outcomes for people were better where there was good partnership working.
- Integrated working around discharging people from hospital was working and had improved the flow out of hospitals.
- Staff tended to stay with a local authority when they felt valued, had learning and development opportunities, and where there was a positive culture.
- Different practices across the five local authorities meant young people’s experiences of transitioning from children’s to adult services were varied.
Based on the pilots, the CQC is making changes to its assessment approach, including simplifying the information it requires of councils and further developing how it engages with the public.
Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, thanked the pilot councils, adding: “This is an important moment for adult social care, a lot of work from across the sector has gone into the preparation and execution of these assessments.
“It is clear CQC has taken valuable learning from the process and is committed to improving their approach for full rollout. The LGA will meet the pilot councils to understand their views on their indicative rating as we move into full rollout.”