Suffolk's adult social care 'good' but could be improved says watchdog

The majority of services have been rated 'good' by the Care Quality Commission

Adult social care in Suffolk is good overall but could be improved in some areas, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found.

The majority of care services in the county were rated good - including support, safeguarding and leadership.

The CQC is now responsible for assessing how local authorities meet their duties under the Care Act - and inspected five as part of a pilot.

Suffolk County Council welcomed the rating but said "more could be done".

The commission found working with people, ensuring the safety in the system and equity in experiences and outcomes were found to have shortfalls.

The county council volunteered to participate and the CQC said it would use learning from the assessment going forward.

James Bullion, the CQC's chief inspector of adult social care and integrated care, said it found "dedicated and resilient front-line staff who were committed to delivering high-quality care and support" in Suffolk.

Leadership, integration with local partners, a focus on prevention, using digital technologies and a positive culture were also praised.

A focus on mental health staff being brought back into the local authority from the local NHS Trust had enabled staff to "be more responsive and provide more holistic and person-centred" care and support, Mr Bullion said.

The report is part of a pilot by the CQC which inspects local authorities under the Care Act

However, the CQC also noted some areas for improvement, including access to a contact centre - which had caused delays in assessments - and some challenges ensuring suitable accommodation for some people.

This included provision gaps in dementia care, nursing care and services for people with complex needs.

Voluntary sector and care partners also told the CQC improvement could be made in better partnership working, communication, and how systems joined up together.

Beccy Hopfensperger, cabinet member for adult care at the council, said she was "delighted" with the rating but would not take it for granted.

"I am especially pleased to see areas like safeguarding rated as good, this is a real acknowledgement of the hard work Suffolk County Council and partners have put in place over the last few years to learn from every incident and work closely together as a system to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable in our community," she said.

She also said it was a testament to "high levels of financial investment" and a sign the council had prioritised health and wellbeing.

However, she said "there is always more that can be done" in the area.