Solihull Council's Adult Social Care Services Achieve 'Good' Rating from CQC
Solihull Council has been awarded a 'good' rating for its adult social care services by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent health and social care regulator. In a significant achievement, the authority has been judged to be in the top five local authorities in the country for these services, marking a notable success for the borough.
Comprehensive Inspection and High Scores
The CQC conducted an onsite inspection in November of last year, assessing the council's provision across nine quality areas. The watchdog's report, published on March 18, gave Solihull an overall rating of 84 per cent, securing its fifth-place national ranking. The inspection focused on key aspects of adult social care, with ratings provided on a scale of one to four.
Six areas received a score of three, equivalent to a 'good' rating:
- Assessing people's needs
- Supporting people to lead healthier lives
- Care provision, integration and continuity of care
- Safe pathways, systems and transitions
- Safeguarding
- Learning, improvement and innovation
Three areas were awarded a score of four, representing an outstanding rating:
- Equity in experience and outcomes
- Partnership and communities
- Governance, management and sustainability
Praise for Community Engagement and Leadership
The assessment team highlighted several strengths in Solihull's approach. They commended the council for its community advice hubs, which play a key role in service delivery. Additionally, the use of a community development team comprising local residents was praised for effectively connecting with harder-to-reach communities. The authority's support for voluntary and charity organisations through funding and assistance was also noted as a positive factor.
Chris Badger, CQC's chief inspector of adult social care and integrated care, stated: "During our assessment we saw a strong and steady leadership team that understood its population well and planned carefully for the future. Leaders created a culture where staff felt valued and motivated. This meant people received support from teams who were confident, knowledgeable and focused on achieving positive outcomes for local people."
Badger added: "We saw clear evidence Solihull's early help and prevention work made a real difference. Support for unpaid carers stood out as a particular strength. Solihull should be proud of its good rating. We look forward to returning to see how the council continues to strengthen its support for people across the borough."
Council Leaders Express Delight and Commitment
Councillor Tony Dicicco, Solihull Council's cabinet member for adult social care and health, expressed his delight at the outcome. He said: "I am absolutely delighted with this outcome and that the commitment and compassion of our staff and leaders have resulted in this rating. It is a testament to their dedication and hard work in providing high quality services each and every day. This fantastic result is a foundation from which we will strive to further improve."
Jenny Wood, the authority's director of adult social care and deputy chief executive, added: "That CQC has found our workforce to be kind, dedicated and compassionate is very special and reflects the many compliments we receive. We could not have achieved this result without the effective and constructive working arrangements across the council, and with the many wider partners who work closely with us."
The CQC has a statutory duty to assess how local authorities collaborate with their communities and partners to meet their responsibilities. This positive rating underscores Solihull Council's effective management and delivery of adult social care services, setting a benchmark for other authorities to follow.
