Our statement on the quality of adult social care

3 December 2009

Adult social care has improved but a renewed effort is needed to eliminate poor quality services.

This is our first major statement on the quality of adult social care in England, based on our publication of the following documents:

Main findings

There has been a steady improvement in ratings awarded to councils. However, our assessment highlights concerns that affect people's lives:

  • 95% of local authorities are performing either excellently or well in their commissioning of adult social care (compared to 87% in the previous year).
  • One quarter of councils are rated only adequate in terms of giving people choice and control over their care.
  • A third of councils must do more to care for people with dignity and respect.

Ratings for adult social care providers have improved but one in six providers are rated only poor or adequate:

  • 77% of care homes, home care agencies, nursing agencies and shared lives schemes are rated excellent or good (compared to 69% in 2008).
  • Around 400 regulated adult social care services are rated as poor and 3,500 as adequate.
  • In care homes for older people, a fifth fail to meet the standard on social contact and activities.

We have also:

  • found that councils must help get rid of poor quality care by purchasing from providers more effectively.
  • identified councils where improvements in adult social care must be a priority.
  • said we will be vigilant about spotting the impact of the economic downturn on people's access to social care.
  • committed to raising the bar on councils and providers.

CQC comments

Cynthia Bower, CQC Chief Executive, says:

"It's good to see the steady improvements and this should be recognised. However, I am concerned that many care homes and agencies have more to do to deliver the quality of care expected of them. Those affected should be absolutely clear that we will be very persistent in ensuring they take action in the run up to registration and afterwards, using all the new powers that will be at our disposal.

"There are also serious issues for councils to address in areas such as giving people more control over their care, treating people with dignity, and ensuring commissioning is as effective as possible. I want to see the regulator and councils working in tandem to drive poor quality care out of the market."

"It is striking that many of the issues of most concern to the public - such as dignity - are not necessarily things that cost a lot of money to put right. So there is clearly room to continue improving services, despite the tough economic backdrop. There is no excuse for taking the foot off the gas.

"I have to say however that I am deeply concerned about the potential impact of lower spending on social care. We all know there are choppy waters ahead, so the issue is how well the system responds to the situation. We plan to be particularly vigilant about this on behalf of people who use services."

Further information