CQC rates Torbay Council’s adult social care as good
The assessment looks at how well the council is meeting its legal duties to make sure people can access adult social care and support. This includes promoting wellbeing and independence for working-age disabled adults, older people and unpaid carers, and ensuring people have choice and control over how their care needs are met.
This is part of the CQC’s new national approach to assessing how local authorities work with communities and partner organisations to deliver adult social care.
How Torbay was assessed
CQC assessed Torbay Council across nine areas, grouped under four themes. Each area was scored from one to four, with four showing an exceptional standard.
How the local authority works with people
- Assessing people’s needs – 2
- Supporting people to lead healthier lives – 3
- Equity in experience and outcomes – 2
Providing support
- Care provision, integration and continuity of care – 3
- Partnership and communities – 3
Ensuring safety in the system
- Safe pathways, systems and transitions – 3
- Safeguarding – 3
Leadership
- Governance, management and sustainability – 2
- Learning, improvement and innovation – 3
What CQC found was working well
CQC identified a number of strengths in Torbay’s adult social care system, including:
- Person-centred assessments where people felt listened to and involved in decisions about their care
- Strong partnership working, with adult social care delivered through an integrated care organisation with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
- Effective reablement, with around 90 per cent of people receiving short-term support no longer needing ongoing care afterwards
- The voluntary sector acting as a first point of contact, resolving around 84 per cent of calls through community-based support
- High satisfaction among unpaid carers, with many able to access support groups, short breaks and emergency respite
CQC also highlighted good examples of early intervention, including avoiding unnecessary care-home admissions by supporting people to remain independent at home and through the use of technology.
Where improvements are needed
The assessment also identified areas for further improvement:
- Long waiting times for care plan reviews, with fewer than half completed within expected timescales
- Difficulties sourcing supported living placements, particularly for people under 65
- Outdated and fragmented IT systems, which affected staff confidence in data and slowed coordination between health and social care teams
- Some staff experiencing inconsistent leadership across different teams
CQC noted that the council has recognised these issues and has begun taking action, including working with community partners to reduce backlogs.
What the CQC said
Chris Badger, CQC’s Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care, said the council was providing good access to person-centred adult social care and had a strong focus on partnership working.
He highlighted positive feedback from people who use services, unpaid carers and voluntary organisations, while stressing the importance of addressing delays, improving systems and embedding consistent leadership.
What this means for people in Torbay
A good rating means the CQC believes Torbay Council is largely meeting its adult social care responsibilities, with clear strengths in partnership working, reablement and community support. The findings also show where improvements are needed to ensure people receive timely reviews, consistent support and joined-up care.
Healthwatch’s role
Healthwatch Devon, Plymouth and Torbay will continue to listen to people’s experiences of adult social care in Torbay. If you or someone you care for uses adult social care services, your feedback helps highlight what is working well and where change is needed.
If you need help understanding adult social care, accessing support, or raising a concern, we can explain your options and help signpost you to the right services.
