Councillor Aspinall (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care) introduced the item to Cabinet and highlighted the following key point:

a)    It was reported that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection process had begun in January 2025, with an on?site inspection taking place over three and a half days in June 2025. The final report was published in December 2025. The overall rating awarded to Plymouth was Good, which was described as a significant achievement and a reflection of the sustained effort of staff across the service, partner organisations including Livewell Southwest, voluntary sector colleagues, and those delivering care in the community; 

Gary Walbridge (Strategic Director for Adults, Health and Communities), Julia Brown (Service Director for Adult Social Care) and Louise Ford (Head of Commissioning) gave a presentation to Cabinet and highlighted the following key points:

b)    The Committee heard that over 300 documents and submissions had been provided to the CQC during the inspection process, together with 50 anonymised case files. During the on?site visit, inspectors undertook 45 formal interviews, involving over 180 individuals from across the system, including frontline staff, partners, voluntary sector representatives and service users; 

c)    In addition to the overall Good rating, Plymouth achieved an Outstanding rating for Equity of Experience and Outcomes, placing it among only a small number of authorities nationally to do so. This was regarded as a major success and reflected the authority’s proactive approach in engaging seldom?heard groups, tackling inequalities and tailoring support to individuals' needs; 

d)    In relation to access to services, the inspection acknowledged strong performance, including the resolving of around 90% of calls at first contact. Improvements were also highlighted in waiting list management, and frontline teams had been supported through work led by the Principal Social Worker to embed strength?based practice;

e)    Under the theme of supporting people to live healthier lives, the inspection recognised strong partnership working across the prevention and early?intervention landscape, particularly with VCSE partners and Public Health. Improvements since inspection were reported, including better outcomes and ongoing work to improve the occupational therapy offer and waiting times; 

f)     With regard to equity and experience, it was noted that Plymouth had achieved its highest scoring in this area. Strong engagement with seldom?heard communities and a clear commitment to addressing inequalities were highlighted. Future improvements included expanding cultural competency work and developing improved recording of diversity within care management systems; 

g)    Under care provision, integration and continuity, the inspection recognised the strength of joint work with Public Health on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and the use of intelligence to inform commissioning priorities. Positive use of lived experience and engagement with the voluntary sector were highlighted as strengths. Members were updated on the publication of the city’s Carers Strategy, ongoing development of the market, and work to launch the extra care framework on 01 May 2026 to support improved transparency and innovation in care provision; 

h)    In relation to partnerships and communities, the work of Plymouth’s Local Care Partnership and Health and Wellbeing Board was commended. The meeting was informed that Plymouth had recently been selected as one of 45 health and wellbeing board areas nationally to participate in Better Care Fund work on Integrated Neighbourhood Teams; 

i)     Under the theme of safe systems, pathways and transitions, strengths were recognised in crisis support, mental health contingency planning, and multidisciplinary work for people with learning disabilities. Improvement work continued in relation to transitions from children’s to adults’ services, supported by collaboration between service areas; 

j)     The theme of safeguarding was discussed. While the overall score was lower than desired, strengths were identified including strong partnership working and above?average training compliance in the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Work continued to improve compliance levels and ensure all legal requirements were met; 

k)    The inspection highlighted governance arrangements, acknowledging stable leadership, clear roles, and a positive learning and improvement culture. The effectiveness of performance management and the use of data to drive decision?making were noted. Workforce capacity challenges within adult social care were recognised, and work continued with the Caring for Plymouth partnership to support recruitment and retention; 

l)     The Learning, Improvement and Innovation theme highlighted strong collaboration with Livewell Southwest and the Principal Social Worker, including support for newly qualified social workers through the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE). Continued work was planned to further upskill the workforce, including in areas such as Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards; 

m)  The Committee was informed that, although the outcome was very positive, the service would continue to maintain a formal Improvement Plan to ensure progress continued.

In response to questions raised it was reported that:

n)    Members expressed the need to focus not only on the areas of high performance but also on those that required strengthening. It was requested that the action plan be submitted to a future Cabinet meeting; 

o)    The meeting reflected on the journey undertaken by the service in the previous 18 months, noting challenges such as the reablement crisis and industrial action, and recognised the substantial progress achieved collectively since then. Congratulations were extended to all staff involved, and it was noted that such outcomes were hard?earned and should be publicly celebrated; 

p)    It was suggested that the Council should do more to highlight the positive outcome publicly, including through photography and by displaying the inspection banner outside the Council House. It was agreed that public recognition was important given the scale of improvement in adult social care, children’s services and SEND over recent years; 

q)    It was noted that adult social care activity continued to generate substantial benefits for the wider health and social care system, including reducing pressures on the NHS. The need for strengthened financial contribution and partnership support from NHS partners was highlighted, with a view to ensuring shared responsibilities were met fairly; 

r)    The Committee formally noted the positive outcome and reiterated the importance of maintaining improvement momentum, ensuring that areas requiring development continued to be progressed at pace. 

Cabinet agreed to

1.    Note the report;

2.    Request that an Adult Social Care CQC Inspection Action Plan be submitted to the next Cabinet meeting for consideration.