Plan agreed to improve social care services

A council has agreed a plan to improve its adult social care services, months after being given a "requires improvement" rating.

West Northamptonshire Council has approved a "roadmap" after a Care Quality Commission (CQC) review rated services as "requires improvement" in January.

The six priority areas set out in the plan are workforce development, leadership, data and performance management, communication, partnerships and equality.

"While the CQC recognised existing strong foundations, we know where we need to improve and we are committed to doing so," said Laura Couse, the council's Reform UK cabinet member for adult social care.

The review was the CQC's first assessment of adult social care delivered by West Northamptonshire Council.

Of the nine aspects of the service that the CQC looked at, six were given scores of two out of four – meaning improvement was needed – and three were given scores of three out of four.

The council was told there were long waiting lists for support equipment and occupational therapy services – particularly for those in rural areas – and people had mixed experiences accessing care.

The council worked with carers, people using services, staff and community groups to create the new plan which aims to tackle inequalities, improve information for the public and increase work with community groups.

People with lived experience will help train staff and shape decisions before they are finalised.

The plan will now be shared with the Department of Health and Social Care.

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