Nottingham City Council has fully accepted the findings of a report by independent regulator the Care Quality Commission which says its adult social care services require improvement.
The report outlines challenges around waiting times, access to services and consistency of care. Concerns were also raised around transitions between services, gaps in specialist provision and the need for stronger governance and leadership arrangements.
Councillor Helen Kalsi, Executive Member for Adult Social Care & Health, said: “We fully accept the findings of this report. We strive to provide good quality services that keep vulnerable people safe and we have already commenced the work required on improvements that the CQC has highlighted.”
An Adult Social Care Improvement Plan is already underway and focuses on:
- Cutting waiting times and improving the front door experience
- Reducing backlogs in assessments, reviews and equipment provision
- Simplifying care pathways to make services easier to navigate
- Strengthening oversight, accountability and quality assurance
- Improving partnerships and increasing local care capacity
- Using better data and insight to drive decision-making and performance
New leadership arrangements and governance structures are now in place to accelerate delivery and ensure improvements are sustained including an Improvement Board with an independent chair, Anna Earnshaw, to provide oversight and advice.
Adult Social Care is also one of the priority areas in the Council’s overarching Continuous Service Improvement Plan which aims to deliver improved outcomes and ensure people experience a coordinated, joined-up system with timely access, assessment and support.
The independent regulator’s report highlights a number of strengths within Nottingham’s adult social care system including a dedicated and committed workforce; positive examples of person-centred, strengths-based care and strong safeguarding arrangements across partner agencies.
It also points to effective reablement and hospital discharge support, a well-regarded Carers Hub and a growing impact from prevention and early intervention services.
Councillor Kalsi said: “What the report also shows is the commitment and compassion of our workforce, and the difference many of our services are already making for people in Nottingham.
“We have a clear and ambitious improvement plan in place and we are already taking action to reduce waiting times, strengthen services and improve the experience of people who access social care at every stage of their journey.
“Our focus now is on delivering real, lasting change — working closely with people who draw on care and support, their carers and our partners to make sure everyone can access the right support, at the right time.
“The council will continue working closely with partners, communities and the CQC to implement the improvement plan, with regular monitoring and reporting to ensure progress is delivered and sustained.”