Care Quality Commission Local Authority assessments
CQC Update
Cheshire East Council have received formal notification from the CQC that we will have an on-site assurance visit within the coming months. This relates to their duty to assess how Local Authorities are meeting their social care duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014.
The exact date of the onsite visit is not known at this stage, but we know that we will receive 6-8 weeks’ notice of this visit and that it is likely to take place over 4 days. In preparation for the onsite assurance visit we have already sent the CQC specific documentation to enable them to do their desktop research ahead of the onsite work.
The published reports of CQC Local Authority assessments can be found on Care Quality Commission.
How the CQC Local Authority Assurance process works
CQC wants to provide independent assurance to the public on the quality of care in their 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, their 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 four themes, with nine quality statements sitting under the four themes (shown in the table below):
- How Cheshire East works with people.
- How Cheshire East provides support.
- How Cheshire East ensures safety within the system.
- Leadership within Cheshire East Council.
CQC
| 1. Working with people | 2. Providing Support |
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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. |
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. |
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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. |
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. |
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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. |
| 3. Ensuring safety | 4. Leadership |
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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. |
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.
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What evidence will CQC look at?
CQC will review information we have submitted to them along with various national data returns we have submitted over the past 12 months. They 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.
What Next
As in all Local Authorities who are committed to continuous improvement, we have identified several improvement areas which we will progress before the CQC onsite visit.
More information about the assessment framework can be found on the CQC website.
Page last reviewed: 30 September 2024
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