Birmingham City Council’s adult social care services have once again earned a ‘good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), making the city one of only five local authorities to be rated ‘good’ twice under the new CQC assessment framework. This recognition highlights the council’s commitment to supporting vulnerable residents despite ongoing challenges.
While the council celebrates this achievement, it acknowledges there is still work to be done. Some service users have experienced lengthy waits and delays in receiving support. Stuart Lackenby, Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health, stated, “We are proud of what we have achieved, but we recognize areas that need improvement. Sometimes support doesn’t meet our own standards, and delays in intervention occur.”
The CQC praised a wide range of services offered in Birmingham, including dementia support, brain health community activities, falls prevention, befriending schemes, peer mentoring, creative arts, and mental wellbeing programs. These diverse services have helped people experience positive outcomes.
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However, inspectors noted gaps in coordination, with some individuals expressing a need for smoother transitions between different services. The council has acknowledged the need to strengthen partnerships with local NHS services. Additionally, some users and unpaid carers reported feeling unsafe at times due to delayed responses and unclear safeguarding procedures. Emergency placements were sometimes difficult to access due to shortages in specialist and complex support, causing some residents to be placed outside the area.
Councillor Harris Khaliq, the council’s new cabinet member for operations, praised staff dedication: “Birmingham’s achievement of being rated ‘good’ twice by the CQC is testament to the incredible and hard-working staff. Investing in talented people, listening to communities, and collaborating effectively delivers real results. Together, we will continue improving services and making a positive difference in our city.”