Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director, Adults

The Assistant Director, Adults, submitted a report (previously circulated) to update Members on the CQC Assurance Framework.

The submitted report stated that the CQC Assurance Framework for Local Authorities in England, introduced by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), was a structured approach to evaluating the performance of local authorities in delivering Adult Social Care services.  It was stated that the Framework was aligned with the goals of the Health and Care Act 2022, which aimed to ensure high-quality, equitable, and sustainable care for individuals in need.

The submitted report updated Members on the requirements of the CQC Assurance Framework, the duties and responsibilities of the Local Authority and provided an updated timeline for the forthcoming inspection.

Members welcomed the update from the Assistant Director, Adults, and questioned the possible delay between inspection and the publication of the final report within the timeline, and whether there was any redress in terms of this.

Discussion ensued on the national context as regard to the new inspection regime, the logistics in terms of the CQC establishing the inspection structure, and the potential for reflection and targeted inspections at the conclusion of the initial inspection process. Members felt that it was encouraging that staff retention had vastly improved in Darlington, that the Council maintained a positive workforce, and hoped that this would be reflected in the CQC outcome.

Clarification was sought in relation to the selected areas for improvement or development in terms of the self-assessment, with Members advised that the self-assessment reflected the Council’s own interpretation, with some specific areas prioritised for completion.  

RESOLVED – That the contents of the update provided be noted.