Manchester City Council Rated ‘Good’ for Adult Social Care by CQC

Manchester City Council has been rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an assessment of how it delivers its adult social care responsibilities under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection looked at how the council works with local communities and partner organisations to ensure adults who need care and support can access services that promote independence, wellbeing and choice.

Across the nine assessment areas, Manchester scored 3 out of 4 in eight categories, with 2 out of 4 for safeguarding, resulting in an overall Good rating.

The assessment scores were:

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

Inspectors found that council leaders had a strong understanding of the needs of Manchester’s population and were actively working to reduce health inequalities across the city.

The report highlighted work to improve access to technology-enabled care after feedback showed some people were reluctant to use digital support. A new satellite site was introduced where residents could see the technology in person, alongside targeted engagement with Asian carers and dementia groups to improve awareness and uptake.

The CQC also praised several areas of practice, including:

• Timely social care assessments before hospital discharge, supported by dedicated hospital-based social workers.
• Improved access to equipment and minor home adaptations to help people remain independent.
• Reduced waiting times following the recruitment of additional occupational therapists.
• Targeted support for entrenched rough sleepers through specialist assessment teams.
• Joint quality assurance arrangements with neighbouring councils for people placed outside the local area.
• A culture that uses feedback to shape service improvements.

However, inspectors identified areas requiring further improvement.

The report found that people with mental health needs who were not considered high risk could face delays accessing assessments and support because of service pressures. Partners also reported that increasing demand for mental health services was placing additional strain on voluntary sector organisations.

Safeguarding was the lowest scoring area. Some partner organisations said they would welcome greater support to understand safeguarding processes and reported that responses from the local authority were not always consistent.

The CQC said the council had recognised these challenges and already had plans in place to strengthen services while building on the positive work already underway.

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