CQC rates Plymouth City Council’s adult social care as good
The assessment looks at how well local authorities are meeting their legal duties to make sure people can access adult social care and support. This includes supporting working-age disabled adults, older people and unpaid carers to live independently and maintain their wellbeing, as well as ensuring people have choice and control when formal care is needed.
This is part of a new national approach by the CQC to assess how councils work with local communities and partner organisations to deliver adult social care.
How the council was assessed
CQC assessed Plymouth City Council across nine areas, grouped under four themes. Each area was scored from one to four, with four showing an exceptional standard.
How the council works with people
- Assessing people’s needs – 2
- Supporting people to lead healthier lives – 3
- Equity in experience and outcomes – 4
Providing support
- Care provision, integration and continuity of care – 2
- Partnership and communities – 3
Ensuring safety in the system
- Safe pathways, systems and transitions – 2
- Safeguarding – 2
Leadership
- Governance, management and sustainability – 3
- Learning, improvement and innovation – 3
What CQC found was working well
CQC highlighted several positive areas, including:
- Staff having the right knowledge and skills to protect people from abuse and neglect
- Strong partnership working, including a “home first” approach for around 70 per cent of people discharged from hospital
- Easy access to equipment and minor home adaptations to help people remain independent
- Community wellbeing hubs located in more deprived areas, helping people access advice, social connection and health support
- An online directory providing information and advice for people who do not meet eligibility thresholds for formal care
CQC also noted that people who use services and their families had opportunities to influence how services are delivered and developed, including shaping future plans for unpaid carers.
Where improvements are needed
The assessment also identified areas where further work is required:
- Reviews of care and support were not happening consistently and were often reactive
- Pathways and processes did not always ensure joined-up support across services, with some cases being closed too early
- Advocacy support was not always offered when it should have been
- Some providers felt preventative safeguarding work had reduced and were unclear where to seek support when people did not meet safeguarding thresholds
CQC recognised that the council has begun to address some of these issues, including developing an improvement plan and introducing a digital financial assessment tool to reduce backlogs.
What the CQC said
Chris Badger, CQC’s Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care, said the council should be pleased with the positive areas identified, while acknowledging the challenges that remain.
He said the key focus now is ensuring improvements are carried out, sustained and embedded across all services so that people in Plymouth receive timely and equitable support.
What this means for people in Plymouth
A rating of good means the CQC believes Plymouth City Council is largely meeting its adult social care duties, with clear strengths in partnership working and community-based support. However, the findings also highlight the importance of improving consistency, coordination and access to advocacy so people get the right support at the right time.
Healthwatch’s role
Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay will continue to listen to people’s experiences of adult social care in Plymouth. If you or someone you care for has used adult social care services, your feedback helps highlight what is working well and where further improvements are 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.
