Care Quality Commission Local Authority assessments
CQC update
Cheshire East had their onsite assurance visit from the CQC week commencing 20th January 2025. We have not received any feedback on our performance or potential rating, as this will take several weeks to be determined and agreed.
Why have CQC introduced Local Authority Assurance visits
The CQC has been given powers under the Health and Care Act 2022 to assess how local authorities deliver against key aspects of their duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014.
The purpose of the assessment will be to understand the performance of Cheshire East, and to assure the CQC and the Department of Health and Social Care about the quality of the adult’s social care we deliver and to consider whether any improvements are required.
How the CQC Local Authority assurance process works
CQC wants to provide independent assurance to the public on the quality of care in the area. They will want to understand how the care provided in Cheshire East is improving outcomes for people and reducing inequalities in their access to care. They will listen to peoples' experiences and outcomes from care. Although the assurance is focused on Local Authority adult social care, we know the outcomes we achieve for people are dependent on how well we work together with partners, so the assessors will also evaluate how well agencies work together to support people as one joined up system.
This assessment will focus on the following 4 themes, with 9 quality statements sitting under them:
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Working with people
Assessing needs
We maximise the effectiveness of people’s care and treatment by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.
Supporting people to lead healthier lives
We support people to manage their health and wellbeing so they can maximise their independence, choice and control, live healthier lives and where possible, reduce future needs for care and support.
Equity in experience and outcomes
We actively seek out and listen to information about people who are most likely to experience inequality in experience or outcomes. We tailor the care, support and treatment in response.
Providing support
Care provision, integration and continuity
We understand the diverse health and care needs of people and our local communities, so care is joined-up, flexible and supports choice and continuity.
Partnerships and communities
We understand our duty to collaborate and work in partnership, so our services work seamlessly for people. We share information and learning with partners and collaborate for improvement.
Ensuring safety
Safe systems, pathways and transitions
We work with people and our partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety is managed, monitored and assured. We ensure continuity of care, including when people move between different services.
Safeguarding
We work with people to understand what being safe means to them and work with our partners to develop the best way to achieve this. We concentrate on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. We make sure we share concerns quickly and appropriately.
Leadership
Governance, management and sustainability
We have clear responsibilities, roles, systems of accountability and good governance to manage and deliver good quality, sustainable care, treatment and support. We act on the best information about risk, performance and outcomes, and we share this securely with others when appropriate.
Learning, improvement and innovation
We focus on continuous learning, innovation and improvement across our organisation and the local system. We encourage creative ways of delivering equality of experience, outcomes and quality of life for people. We actively contribute to safe, effective practice and research.
What evidence will CQC look at?
CQC will review information we have submitted to them within our Self-Assessment and Information Return, along with various national data returns we have submitted over the past 12 months.
CQC will also consider:
1. People’s experience – CQC will speak to people who use social care services, their families, carers and advocates, they will look at survey results, feedback and review records for a selected number of individuals to review their journey through Adult Social Care.
2. Feedback from staff and leaders – achieved through conversations with them, compliments and complaints information, surveys, and documentary evidence.
3. Feedback from partners – is likely to include partners involved in social care, health and wellbeing support and groups such as partnership boards and housing.
4. Processes CQC will assess the effectiveness of processes to deliver positive outcomes for individuals who access and receive care and support.
5. Outcomes – CQC will evaluate the impact we have on individuals and communities.
Work in progress
As in all Local Authorities who are committed to continuous improvement, when we completed our Self-Assessment, we identified several improvement areas to work on and we will continue to develop these.
Following assessment
Reports will be published on the CQC website for each Local Authority and will outline strengths and areas for development. Scores for themes will be combined to give an overall rating of outstanding, good, requires improvement, or inadequate. As soon as there is further news from the agreed report, we will share it on the Live Well site.
You can find more information about the assessment framework on the CQC website.
Page last reviewed: 07 February 2025
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