The Care Quality Commission (CQC), has rated Kirklees Council as requires improvement, in how well they are meeting their responsibilities to ensure people have access to adult social care and support under the Care Act (2014).
CQC has a new duty under the Act to assess how local authorities work with their communities and partners to meet their responsibilities. This includes promoting the wellbeing and independence of working age disabled adults, older people, and their unpaid carers to reduce their need for formal support where appropriate. Where support is needed it should provide people with choice and control of how their care needs are met.
CQC looked at nine areas spread across four themes to assess how well the authority is meeting their responsibilities in order to create their requires improvement rating. CQC has given each of these nine areas a score out of four with one being the evidence shows significant shortfalls, and four showing an exceptional standard.
1. assessing people’s needs: 2
2. supporting people to lead healthier lives: 2
3. equity in experience and outcomes: 2
4. care provision, integration and continuity of care: 2
5. partnership and communities: 3
6. safe pathways, systems and transitions: 2
7. safeguarding: 3
8. governance, management and sustainability: 2
9. learning, improvement and innovation: 3
Chris Badger, CQC’s chief inspector of adult social care and integrated care, said:
"During our inspection of Kirklees Council, we found strong partnership working that delivers real benefits to those living in Kirklees. We also heard people felt listened to and valued, with the authority actively seeking feedback from people with lived experience of using services. However, it does have further work to do to ensure people are consistently receiving the support they need.
“For example, improvements were needed to support digital inclusion. People without internet access had limited ways of communicating with the authority and were concerned about the lack of face-to-face services available. They also told us about long telephone waits, no callback option, and an online form which was difficult to use.
“People shared mixed feedback about transitioning between services. Some, including unpaid carers felt that there was a lack of early planning for moving from children to adults’ services and reported delays in assessments.
"Additionally, staff told us about gaps in long-term placements for younger adults. At times this resulted in people being placed in older adult care homes or in locations less convenient for family visits. However, leaders were aware of this, and work was already underway before the inspection to address some of the improvements.
"It was positive to hear that people were regularly involved in staff recruitment and developing policies. They told us that they experienced real collaboration, and it wasn’t just a tick box exercise. This showed that the authority had a commitment to inclusion and took people’s views on board.
“Unpaid carers consistently praised the carers groups they attended. One told us that the group saved them, describing the value of meeting others in similar situations, sharing laughter and tears, and even receiving a hug when needed as invaluable.
"Kirklees Council should build on their areas of good practice, particularly around designing services with the people using them and partnership working, whilst addressing the delays people face in accessing assessments. We look forward to seeing how their plans mature.”
The assessment team found:
- People experienced lengthy delays in assessments and reviews although the Kirklees Waiting Well policy was in the process of being implemented and there had been investment in more staff.
- The authority’s redesigned reablement service faced capacity challenges and partners told inspectors that the service couldn't respond to all referrals due to demand.
- Some people found a lack of clarity around financial assessments and care charges, with discharge sometimes delayed when top-up contributions were needed.
- Healthwatch Kirklees, who represent the views of local people, identified inequalities in reablement access for ethnically diverse groups and called for more flexible, equitable support.
However, the assessment team also found:
- People felt listened to during assessments, with social workers taking person-centred approaches including meeting people for coffee to talk in relaxed environments.
- 92% of people referred to the occupational therapy service didn't require formal care as they were supported through therapy and equipment.
- The authority had a clear understanding of safeguarding risks and issues in the area. It also worked well with partners to reduce risks and improve outcomes for people.