To receive a verbal update on the outcome of the CQC Assurance Visit.
Minutes:
The interim Director of Adult Social Care provided a verbal update
on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment of the Council's compliance with the Care Act 2014. The assessment included a self-assessment, review of national performance data, and an onsite visit involving staff, residents and partner organisations.
The Committee was advised that the Council was assessed as "Requires Improvement", achieving a score of 56%, seven points below the threshold for a "Good" rating. It was detailed that the strongest areas of performance were safeguarding and leadership, both of which received positive recognition from the CQC.
The Committee was informed that the CQC recognised the Council's strong prevention and early intervention approach, strengths-based practice, person-centred support and ongoing transformation programme.
The Committee also heard that improvements in assessment waiting times, workforce development, market shaping, innovation and multi-agency safeguarding arrangements were highlighted as areas of strength.
The Committee noted the significant progress had been made in the use of performance data and real-time dashboards to support governance, oversight and decision-making.
The Director of Adult Social Care advised that whilst the Service was disappointed with the overall outcome, officers considered the report to be balanced and reflective of the Council's understanding of its own performance. The principal area for improvement identified by the CQC was the consistency of practice and experience across services.
The Committee noted that the CQC expects the Council to demonstrate that recent improvements, particularly reductions in waiting times, can be sustained over the longer term and that further work was required to evidence the impact of partnership working and the outcomes being achieved through joint arrangements.
The Committee was advised that an improvement plan was being developed in response to the findings and would be co-produced with staff and stakeholder groups. It was noted that the completed improvement plan was required to be submitted by mid-September and would focus on addressing the key areas identified within the assessment.
The Committee discussed the update, including:
• It was noted that the Council would participate in an annual conversation with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as part of the ongoing assurance process.
• In response to a query, the Committee was advised that authorities receiving a “Requires Improvement” judgement could expect a further full CQC assessment within three years, with officers anticipating reassessment within approximately 18 to 24 months.
• The Committee noted that officers viewed the required improvements as part of a process of continuous improvement rather than a major organisational challenge.
• The Committee noted that further staff engagement sessions were planned and that staff remained motivated to secure improved outcomes at the next assessment.
• The Committee was advised that the CQC assessment framework was still evolving and that inspection approaches had developed as the regulator had gained experience across the sector.
• The Committee noted that some findings reflected individual experiences, which officers felt may not always represent the wider picture across services.
• The Committee discussed the broad nature of the “Requires Improvement” category and noted that performance can vary significantly between authorities within that rating.
• The Chair advised that the Committee’s work programme would remain flexible and may be amended to address emerging issues or areas of interest as required.