Adult social care in Ealing is rated as requiring improvement according to the latest review of adult social care from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The London borough is among the first local authorities to be assessed under the CQC’s new inspection framework.
The review indicated delays in assessments and accessing care as major issues which need urgent attention, and CQC’s chief inspector James Bullion highlighted the need to address significant operational challenges.
He said: “The council is committed to inclusivity and innovation.
“However, significant delays in assessments and accessing care remain key challenges.”
The report revealed the median waiting time for a needs assessment is 17 weeks, with staff shortages affecting the speed of service delivery.
Waiting lists have shown some improvement recently, but maintaining this progress has been difficult.
According to the report, residents’ experiences with adult social care services varied.
Some praised staff for being knowledgeable and compassionate, while others raised concerns about delays and poor communication.
Bullion noted Ealing Council understands what needs to improve and is taking steps to address the challenges.
He said: “We look forward to returning to see how their plans develop and the positive impact on the community.”
Ealing Council expressed disappointment with the report’s findings, arguing that it does not fully reflect the quality of services or residents’ experiences.
Cabinet Member for Healthy Equal Lives, Councillor Polly Knewstub, said: “We are very proud of the work our adult social care staff do every day and the passion they have in supporting the communities we serve in Ealing.
“This rating is disappointing, but we are confident our plans will continue to build quality services that make a real difference.”
She noted the report’s recognition of strengths, such as the borough’s focus on individuals, safeguarding efforts, and work to reduce inequality.
Cllr Knewstub also mentioned praise from a recent Local Government Association review, which called Ealing’s progress over the past two years outstanding.
She said: “The CQC inspectors identified strong partnership arrangements and a positive culture of learning and innovation within our social care teams.
“While we know there’s work to do, we remain ambitious and committed to finding new ways to support our communities.”
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