CQC rates Devon County Council’s adult social care as Requires Improvement

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated Devon County Council as Requires Improvement following an assessment of how effectively it is meeting its duties under the Care Act 2014.

The assessment forms part of the CQC’s programme of reviewing how local authorities work with communities and partner organisations to ensure adults who need care and support can access appropriate services, maintain independence and exercise choice over their care.

The regulator assessed the council across nine areas grouped into four themes. Scores are awarded on a four-point scale, with one indicating significant shortfalls and four representing exceptional performance.

The council received the following scores:

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

The CQC found a number of strengths within Devon’s adult social care system, including person-centred assessments focused on independence and wellbeing. Inspectors noted that satisfaction levels and people’s sense of control over their daily lives were above the national average.

The regulator also highlighted the council’s reablement service, reporting that 95.84% of people receiving short-term support no longer required ongoing care, compared with a national average of 79%.

However, the assessment identified several areas requiring improvement. Inspectors found many people were waiting too long for care assessments, reviews and safeguarding responses. At the time of the assessment, 546 people were awaiting safeguarding enquiries, with the longest wait reaching 146 days.

Financial assessments were also significantly delayed. In September 2025, 2,190 people were waiting to learn how much they would need to contribute towards the cost of their care, with some waiting almost two and a half years. The CQC found people were receiving care before financial assessments had been completed, meaning they did not know what charges they would eventually face.

The regulator also identified delays in processing Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications. Nearly 3,000 people were waiting for authorisations, with some cases outstanding for more than three and a half years.

Inspectors found further concerns around accessibility, concluding that online services were not always suitable for people with learning disabilities, translation options were limited and insufficient support was available for people unable to access digital services.

The report also highlighted concerns raised by unpaid carers, particularly those living in rural areas, who continued to experience difficulties accessing transport, respite services and opportunities to reduce social isolation.

Alongside these findings, the CQC recognised examples of effective practice. Inspectors found people with lived experience were actively involved in designing services through initiatives including carer ambassadors, co-produced practice standards and “jargon busters” to improve communication.

The regulator also highlighted strong strategic leadership, the use of performance data to drive improvement, a positive learning culture that responded to complaints and reviews, and targeted work that had significantly reduced waiting times for autism assessments.

The CQC said the council has recognised the areas requiring improvement and has plans in place to address the issues identified during the assessment.

Stay informed with the stories shaping health and social care.

Register with The Daily Round for the latest sector news, inspections & reports, wellbeing content, workforce insights, expert features and practical updates—delivered free to your inbox.