Cumberland Council is continuing to strengthen Adult Social Care services following an assessment by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which rated the service as ‘Requires Improvement’.
The assessment recognised a number of positive developments, including:
- Clear foundations established since Local Government Reorganisation in 2023
- High levels of satisfaction among people receiving care, with many reporting choice and control over their daily lives
- Visible and accessible leadership, with staff feeling supported and well trained
- Safe services and effective transitions for most young people moving from children’s to adults’ services
- Early progress in personalised care and partnership working
The full CQC report is available online at www.cqc.org.uk/care-services/local-authority-assessment-reports
The Council welcomes the findings of the assessment and acknowledges that the assessment started over a year ago. The report highlights both areas of strength and opportunities for further improvement, much of which the Council has already been actively addressing. Many of the improvements identified had previously been recognised and highlighted to the CQC in the Council’s own self-assessment, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to excellence and continuous development.
As part of its ongoing improvement work, the Council has strengthened support for unpaid carers, including access to respite. Respite provision has increased by 25% and is now available across Cumberland. Investment for carers through the Better Care Fund has more than doubled for 2025-26. At the same time, the Council continues to enhance other services, including safeguarding and waiting times. The Council also notes that some delays referenced in the report were not always within the local authority’s control. Work continues to minimise avoidable delays and to support people through these processes as effectively as possible.
Cumberland Council will keep staff, people who use services and their families, and partners informed by sharing outcomes, improvement plans and progress. The Council remains committed to delivering person-centred, compassionate and sustainable Adult Social Care that supports people to stay healthy and independent.
Councillor Lisa Hinton, Cumberland Council Executive Member for Adult Social Care, said:
“We welcome the CQC findings and are proud of the progress our teams have made since Local Government Reorganisation. The assessment highlights the strengths of our services and areas where we can continue to improve. Since the assessment, we have strengthened support for unpaid carers, expanded respite provision across Cumberland, and enhanced the quality and responsiveness of our services.
“Our improvement journey shows how far we’ve come, and we are committed to working closely with people across Cumberland to deliver high-quality, compassionate, and person-centred Adult Social Care now and into the future.”