Leeds City Council’s adult social care, under the new Health and Care Act 2022, scored a ‘good’ 70 out of 100 in the CQC assessment, placing it in the top third nationally for its personalized care, safeguarding, and dedicated staff. While praised for its innovation, the report suggests improvements in digital infrastructure and outreach to marginalized groups, which the council, led by Councillor Salma Arif, is committed to addressing.
What were the main findings of the Leeds City Council Adult Social Care CQC assessment?
Leeds City Council’s adult social care received a ‘good’ overall rating from the CQC, scoring 70 out of 100 and ranking in the top third nationally. The report praised personalized care, safeguarding, staff dedication, and innovation, while recommending improvements in digital infrastructure and outreach to marginalized groups.
CQC Assessment: Background and Context
The adult social care services provided by Leeds City Council have recently undergone a thorough assessment by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), marking a significant milestone in the council’s ongoing delivery of essential support to adults across the city. This latest assessment, conducted under new powers granted by the Health and Care Act 2022, is the first for the council since the introduction of this updated regulatory framework. The review’s primary aim was to evaluate how well local authorities meet their statutory responsibilities set out within the Care Act of 2014.
In the CQC’s official report, which was publicly released on October 15, Leeds was awarded an overall outcome of ‘good.’ This places the city’s services notably above the national average, ranking Leeds in the top third among authorities scrutinized under the new assessment process. Notably, the evaluation used a score-based approach, leading to Leeds receiving an impressive 70 out of 100. The rigour of this process underscores the importance placed on safeguarding, service effectiveness, and meeting residents’ diverse needs.
Senior councillors, including Councillor Salma Arif, praised the positive findings and the reassurance it offers to those reliant on adult social care. According to Councillor Arif, “These assessment findings provide welcome reassurance of the safe and effective services provided in Leeds to meet the needs of people who require care and support.” The report’s publication and its forthcoming presentation at the executive board meeting on November 19 signal a transparent and proactive approach to public accountability from Leeds City Council.
Areas of Praise and Notable Achievements
The CQC’s assessment did more than just assign a high-level score – it explored the ethos, structures, and individual programs that underpin adult social care in Leeds. Several specific areas were singled out for commendation. Among these, inspectors noted the dedication of frontline staff, innovative use of technology, and robust communication channels between social care teams and health providers. Such integrated service delivery ensures a holistic approach to support and makes transitions more seamless for individuals moving between care settings.
Another area of achievement highlighted was Leeds’ strong focus on personalized care. The report spotlights evidence of tailored support plans and an active involvement of individuals and families in decision-making processes, fostering dignity and autonomy. In addition to this person-centered approach, the services were found to be particularly effective at safeguarding vulnerable adults, preventing harm, and promoting wellbeing.
Cllr Salma Arif further commented, “Our overall score, of 70 out of 100, places Leeds above average and in the top third of scores for authorities assessed by the CQC so far.” In support of this, recent years have seen a consolidation of best practices across local teams, streamlined training programs, and wider community partnerships. Such efforts build the strong foundations that underpin the council’s ongoing commitment to ‘delivering a high quality of care across the city.’
Identified Areas for Improvement and Response Plans
While the assessment was broadly positive, the CQC report did highlight areas where improvement is required. Among the key recommendations were enhancing access for specific demographic groups, further investing in professional development, and accelerating the adoption of digital records and care management systems. The report also emphasized the need for even greater service flexibility to adapt to changing population needs, as well as better consistency in follow-up support for those leaving hospital or other intensive care settings.
In response, Leeds City Council has set out clear next steps, many of which are already underway. As summarized in briefing materials accompanying the report, priorities include:
- Investing further in care sector workforce recruitment and retention
- Expanding digital infrastructure to enable integrated care
- Strengthening outreach to underrepresented and marginalized communities
Cllr Arif addressed the topic directly, stating, “We remain committed to delivering a high quality of care across the city and will continue to build on the many successes highlighted within the report as well as addressing, as a priority, the areas identified for improvement.” The council’s plans for improvement feature cross-departmental collaboration, increases in both funding and training, and renewed emphasis on gathering service user feedback.
Ongoing Engagement and Transparency
Transparency and communication with the public and relevant stakeholders form a core part of Leeds City Council’s approach. The findings of the CQC assessment, as well as the council’s strategy for continuous improvement, will be formally presented to the council’s executive board on November 19. This agenda item is open to the public and details can be found on the Council and Democracy portal, agenda item eight.
Supplemental information, including previous statements and detailed outcomes, is available through the CQC’s own website and recent council press releases such as “New report praises quality of adult social care in Leeds” and “CQC rates Leeds City Council’s adult social care provision as good.” Residents and interested parties are encouraged to review these sources for further context.
For media or public inquiries regarding the report and Leeds City Council’s adult social care services, the Communications and Marketing Team can be reached via email at communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk or by telephone at 0113 378 6007. This ensures that stakeholders continue to have access to the latest updates and are able to raise questions or concerns as the council implements improvements highlighted by the recent assessment.
- Leeds City Council’s adult social care received an overall ‘good’ rating from the CQC, scoring 70 out of 100.
- This score places Leeds in the top third nationally among authorities assessed under the new Health and Care Act 2022.
- The assessment praised the council for personalized care, safeguarding, dedicated staff, and innovative practices.
- Areas identified for improvement include digital infrastructure and outreach to marginalized groups.
- Councillor Salma Arif confirmed the council’s commitment to addressing the identified areas for improvement while building on successes.