Lambeth care users receive good CQC rating

Lambeth residents who use adult social care, their families and unpaid carers have received a positive independent signal on the borough’s care services after the Care Quality Commission rated Lambeth Council’s adult social care provision as “good”.

Inspectors said people using services generally described positive experiences, including feeling listened to, having assessments arranged quickly, and dealing with staff who understood what mattered most in their lives. The rating is the second-highest available under the CQC’s local authority adult social care assessment system.

Lambeth Council said the result places the borough in the top 10 per cent of councils nationally for adult social care, based on overall scores published so far. The council was also rated “outstanding” for Equity in Experience and Outcomes, one of the areas reviewed by inspectors.

Care support for almost 5,000 residents

Almost 5,000 people in Lambeth receive long-term adult social care support. These services can include help for older people, working-age disabled adults, people recovering after illness or injury, and residents whose needs require ongoing support at home or in specialist settings.

The council said care packages vary widely in intensity, duration and cost. It invests close to £150 million a year in adult social care services, both for residents with higher needs and for people who need help to remain independent.

For families, the CQC rating gives a clearer picture of how the local system is performing at a time when adult social care is under sustained pressure across England. The inspection looked not only at the council’s processes, but also at how people experienced support in practice.

Inspectors highlight fairness across communities

Chris Badger, the CQC’s chief inspector of adult social care and integrated care, said fairness was “a clear strength” in Lambeth, noting the borough’s ethnic diversity.

The CQC pointed to services developed for communities whose needs are often overlooked. These included specialist residential care for Asian and Jewish communities, accommodation for LGBTQ+ residents, and culturally specific peer support for people from African and Caribbean backgrounds.

That “outstanding” equity rating matters because adult social care is not a single standard service delivered in the same way to everyone. Language, culture, identity, family networks and trust in public services can all affect whether people seek help early, understand their options, and receive care that fits their lives.

Faster assessments and joined-up recovery support

Inspectors also praised Lambeth’s work with health and voluntary sector partners. The CQC said the council worked with NHS services and community organisations to support faster hospital discharge, more joined-up care and early advice before needs escalated.

A key part of the finding was Lambeth’s focus on helping people stay independent and avoid unnecessary long-term care. Inspectors said staff worked with health partners to provide short-term support, equipment and rehabilitation after illness or injury, helping many people recover without needing ongoing care.

The assessment system looks at nine areas across four themes, with each area rated from one to four. A score of one indicates significant shortfalls, while four indicates an exceptional standard. Lambeth scored threes and fours across the board.

New scrutiny for council adult social care

The CQC regulates health and social care in England and now has a legal duty to inspect local authority adult social care services. These assessments examine how well councils support wellbeing and independence for older people, working-age disabled adults and unpaid carers.

The inspection framework gives residents a way to compare how councils are meeting their responsibilities, though individual experiences can still vary depending on care needs, availability, timing and the complexity of support required.

Ian Davis, Lambeth Council’s chief executive, said inspectors had found the council’s services “amongst the best in the country” and said the authority would focus on maintaining standards and further improvement.

Mr Badger said Lambeth should be proud of the findings, adding: “Its commitment to fairness, strong partnership working and focus on independence are benefiting people who use services. We look forward to seeing further progress.”

Source: London Borough of Lambeth

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This report is based on Lambeth Council’s account of the CQC inspection outcome and the quoted findings from the regulator.

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• Confirmed the reported overall CQC rating for Lambeth adult social care as good.
• Checked the stated outstanding rating for Equity in Experience and Outcomes.
• Matched quoted comments to named speakers Chris Badger and Ian Davis.
• Kept financial and service figures to the source-stated numbers of almost 5,000 people and...

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2026-05-27 18:22

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Chris BadgerIan Davis

#Care Quality Commission#CQC rating#Lambeth Council#Lambeth residents#London Borough of Lambeth#unpaid carers

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