Lambeth care services rated good for local support

By Hiyastar Newsroom

Adult social care services in Lambeth have been rated good by the Care Quality Commission, with inspectors highlighting how residents are listened to, assessed promptly and supported to stay independent where possible.

The rating means Lambeth Council received the second-highest overall judgement available under the regulator’s inspection system for local authority adult social care. The council says the outcome places Lambeth in the top 10 per cent of councils nationally based on overall scores published so far.

Almost 5,000 people in the borough receive long-term adult social care support. Packages can range from short-term help after illness or injury to more intensive care for people with complex needs, older residents, working-age disabled adults and unpaid carers.

Fairness praised in one of London’s most diverse boroughs

The Care Quality Commission gave Lambeth an outstanding rating for Equity in Experience and Outcomes, one of the areas assessed as part of the wider inspection.

Chris Badger, the CQC’s chief inspector of adult social care and integrated care, said fairness was a clear strength in Lambeth, particularly because of the borough’s ethnic diversity.

Inspectors pointed to services developed for communities whose needs can be overlooked. These included specialist residential care for Asian and Jewish communities, accommodation for LGBTQ+ residents, and culturally specific peer support for people from African and Caribbean backgrounds.

For residents and families, that part of the report matters because adult social care is not only about whether help is available. It also looks at whether people can access support that reflects their language, culture, identity, health needs and family circumstances.

Faster assessments and support to stay independent

People who spoke to inspectors generally described positive experiences of Lambeth’s adult social care services. According to the CQC, residents said they felt listened to, that assessments were arranged quickly and at suitable times and places, and that staff understood what mattered most in their lives.

The regulator also highlighted Lambeth’s work with health partners to help people recover after illness or injury. Joined-up short-term support, equipment and rehabilitation were found to be helping some residents avoid unnecessary long-term care.

That work can affect everyday life for people leaving hospital, people whose mobility has changed, and families trying to arrange safe support at home. It can also reduce pressure on longer-term care services by helping residents regain independence sooner.

How the CQC reached its judgement

The Care Quality Commission regulates health and social care in England. It now has a legal duty to inspect how local authorities carry out their adult social care responsibilities, including how they support wellbeing, independence and unpaid carers.

Under the assessment framework, councils are reviewed across nine areas grouped under four themes. Each area is scored from one to four, where one indicates significant shortfalls and four indicates an exceptional standard.

Lambeth scored threes and fours across the board, according to the council’s account of the findings.

Ian Davis, Lambeth Council’s chief executive, said the result showed inspectors had found the borough’s services among the best in the country.

“It’s so heartening to hear that the effort we put into supporting our residents and that our focus on providing top-quality front-line services was recognised by independent inspectors who have come to Lambeth and thoroughly reviewed our work,” he said.

What residents can take from the report

The inspection does not mean every care package is identical or that every resident’s experience will be the same. Adult social care support is shaped around individual needs, and packages can vary widely in intensity, duration and cost.

Lambeth Council says it invests close to £150 million a year in adult social care, both for residents with the highest needs and for people who need help to remain as independent as possible.

The CQC’s findings give residents, carers and families a clearer public benchmark for how the borough’s services are performing. They also give the council a basis for further improvement as demand for adult social care continues to grow across London.

“Overall, Lambeth should be proud of the many positive findings in our report,” Mr Badger said. “Its commitment to fairness, strong partnership working and focus on independence are benefiting people who use services.”

Source: London Borough of Lambeth