City of London adult social care rated Good by CQC

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated the City of London Corporation as Good following its assessment of how the local authority is meeting its duties under the Care Act 2014 to provide adult social care and support.

The assessment examined nine areas across four themes covering how the authority assesses needs, supports people’s wellbeing, works with partners, safeguards adults, and manages services.

The authority received the following scores:

• Assessing people’s needs – 3
• Supporting people to lead healthier lives – 3
• Equity in experience and outcomes – 2
• Care provision, integration and continuity of care – 2
• Partnership and communities – 3
• Safe pathways, systems and transitions – 3
• Safeguarding – 2
• Governance, management and sustainability – 2
• Learning, improvement and innovation – 3

Inspectors found that many people reported positive experiences of adult social care. Assessments were described as strengths-based and person-centred, with staff focusing on helping people maintain independence and involving them in decisions about their care. The CQC also found that services worked closely with health partners to support hospital discharge and care transitions, while reablement services helped people regain confidence and independence.

The report highlighted several examples of positive practice. An early intervention fund enabled staff to provide low-cost support quickly to help people remain independent. People said it was easy to access information about local care and support services, and the authority improved communication with people leaving reablement services following recommendations from an independent review in 2024. The council also recommissioned its carers’ support service in 2024 with input from unpaid carers, introducing a single point of access, dedicated support coordinators, peer support and training opportunities.

Inspectors also noted partnership working to support people experiencing homelessness, including the addition of a qualified social worker to the rough sleeping outreach team and regular information-sharing meetings with partner organisations.

The CQC identified areas where further improvement is needed. Some unpaid carers reported feeling unsupported after assessments and wanted clearer information about their rights and available support. Inspectors also found delays in providing major home adaptations, and some people felt they did not always have sufficient choice and control over how their care was delivered.

The report also found the authority did not yet have a formal co-production strategy in place, although work is underway to establish an advisory group and strengthen the involvement of people with lived experience in shaping services.

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