Staffordshire adult social care services rated ‘good’ by CQC inspectors
Vulnerable adults in Staffordshire are receiving ‘good’ social care services from their council, an assessment has found. The Care Quality Commission says that Staffordshire County Council’s adult social care provision is performing well and meeting the needs of service users.
Local authorities are undergoing a new type of assessment from the CQC which considers how they are meeting their responsibilities under the 2014 Care Act. Staffordshire has received an overall score of 75 per cent, meaning it has been classed as ‘good’, the second highest rating.
The county council also received ‘good’ ratings in each of nine individual areas, such as safeguarding, assessing people’s needs and governance. Services users, their families, unpaid carers and staff were all interviewed as part of the assessment.
According to the CQC report, people in Staffordshire have access to a range of services and resources ‘to promote independence and improve the quality of their lives’. Service users told the CQC that they found referral pathways easy to navigate and that they felt involved in decisions about their care.
Unpaid carers said that the council recognised their distinct needs, and that support options were easily accessible. The CQC also found that partnerships between the council and other organisations such as the NHS were ‘very strong’.
But the report also says that some people had to repeat their stories to different agencies, and that there had been a decline in the uptake of direct payments – an issue which the council is working to address.
James Bullion, CQC’s chief inspector of adult social care and integrated care, said: “At this assessment of Staffordshire County Council, we found a local authority that was supporting people to access adult social care services very well. We heard from people who were happy with the care and support they received, and it was clear that the authority’s collaborations with partners and effective management oversight were areas of exemplary practice.
“People had positive experiences of accessing adult social care support which resulted in good outcomes. They received care and support in a timely manner. Staff supported them to access a range of services, facilities and resources for people that promoted their independence. This included equipment and minor home adaptations to support people to continue living in their home.
“Staff carried out assessments that considered and met each person and their carers’ individual needs and circumstances. Staff worked closely with people and their families to consider their own unique situation and circumstances. In one example of good practice, a person with care needs and their family were supported to access differing levels of support as part of their assessment, until they found the right level of care support that helped keep them safe and independent.”
Mr Bullion also noted the ‘smooth transitions’ between different services, and the ‘effective’ management by leaders. He added: “Leaders and staff at Staffordshire County Council should be very proud of the work they have done to make sure that their local population receives person-centred care that meets their needs. We look forward to seeing their continued progress.”
The county council spent £328 million on adult social care in 2023/24, equating to 30.4 per cent of its total budget and £23.6 million more than was planned. Around 15,130 people in Staffordshire were accessing long-term adult social care support, with 2,050 accessing short-term support.
Martin Rogerson, cabinet member for health and care, welcomed the CQC report. He said: “I want to congratulate staff for this great achievement and thank them for their hard work and dedication in supporting vulnerable adults in Staffordshire.
“We have made it clear caring for the most vulnerable adults is a key priority so receiving this rating at a time of high demand and increasing financial pressures nationally is amazing news.
“However, we know our work doesn’t stop here and we will continue with our existing improvement plans that were shared with CQC.”
Many adult social care workers in Staffordshire are employed by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, as part of a partnership arrangement with the county council.
Neil Carr, MPFT chief executive said: “Our dedicated and hard-working adult social care staff, led by our director of social care Jo Cowcher, play an enormous role in making MPFT a truly unique and integrated NHS trust, and the Good ratings awarded by the CQC recognise the difference they make to the lives of patients and carers in Staffordshire.
“I’m also pleased our strong partnership with the county council in delivering the service has been recognised, as has the culture of learning driven by our Social Work Learning Academy. We will continue to work closely together to further enhance our offer to Staffordshire residents.”
