Agenda item

Report from the Executive Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Notes the achievements of the Council’s Adult Social Care Service in achieving a ‘Good’ rating.

2.    Notes the contents of this report highlighting the areas of strength and the opportunities for development, reflected in the CQC assessment report.

3.    Supports the intention to address the areas for development as detailed in the report via a development plan to be agreed by the Executive Director for Adult Care, Housing and Public Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health.

4.    Agree to receive a progress update on delivery of the development plan in June 2027.

Consideration was given to the report which outlined the achievements regarding the Council’s Social Care Service in achieving a ‘Good’ rating. It also summarised the key strengths and opportunities for development as detailed in the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) assessment report, which was attached at Appendix 1, of how well the Council was meeting its duties under Part 1 of the Care Act (2014). The assessment took place from 14 to 17 July 2025, with publication of the final CQC report in March 2026. 

The assessment notice was received from the CQC on 10 February 2025, officially beginning the assessment period. Over 300 pieces of evidence were submitted on 28 February 2025, covering 38 Information Return statements which formed the basis of the CQC’s understanding of how the local authority functioned and delivered its care functions. Following this, 50 case files were submitted and a 3 hour online opening presentation took place. The on-site assessment, undertaken by a seven person CQC team, consisted of three days of group and individual interviews, with the experience described as positive by staff, partners, stakeholders and people with lived experience.

The draft report was received on 3 February 2026, with the delay due to sickness within the CQC assessment team, and the final report was returned on 4 March 2026, rating Rotherham Adult Care as ‘Good’ with a score of 73%, placing it joint second in Yorkshire and the Humber. The report was published on 20 March 2026, and reflection sessions and a celebration event were taking place to acknowledge strengths and inform development actions.

Local authorities were assessed against four themes: 

1. Working with people  
2. Providing support 
3. How the local authority ensures safety 
4. Leadership 
   
   

Paragraph 2.4 of the report highlighted key strengths for each of the four themes. Paragraph 2.5 highlighted areas to be considered for development for each of the four themes.

During the meeting, the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, the Leader and Deputy Leader placed on record their thanks to all the teams involved in achieving the “good” rating and to former Councillor Roche who had led on the improvements.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1. Notes the achievements of the Council’s Adult Social Care Service in achieving a ‘Good’ rating.
   
   
2. Notes the contents of this report highlighting the areas of strength and the opportunities for development, reflected in the CQC assessment report.
   
   
3. Supports the intention to address the areas for development as detailed in the report via a development plan to be agreed by the Executive Director for Adult Care, Housing and Public Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health.
   
   

4.    Agree to receive a progress update on delivery of the development plan in June 2027.