Calderdale Council is delighted that our adult social care services have been rated Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care.
This followed an assurance assessment and on-site visit by the CQC team between 30 April and 1 May 2025.
This is the first time Calderdale Council’s adult social care services have been inspected under the Care Quality Commission’s new method of assessment, which looks at how the Council is meeting its responsibilities under the Care Act 2014.
It represents a profoundly important moment for the Council, providing an intensive external review of services which have consistently been one of our core priorities, and which have a significant impact on many of our residents’ lives.
The CQC Inspection Team examined how the Council works with people and provides support, as well as safeguarding and leadership. The inspectors concluded that services are performing well in Calderdale:
- They found that the Council is delivering good access to adult social care for Calderdale residents and is focused on promoting people’s independence and well-being.
- They found that there are good, effective safeguarding systems and practice in place to make sure that people are protected from abuse and neglect.
- They spoke to passionate staff who they found are committed to listening and responding to people’s needs.
- They found that the Council understands the local population and engages with local communities to address and reduce inequalities. There was evidence of equality, diversity and inclusion principles being embedded in the service. For example, people from diverse backgrounds, including people within the LGBTQ+ community, South Asian women, and Gypsy, and Traveller communities, reported that they have received culturally sensitive care and inclusive engagement.
- The Council’s support for unpaid carers, including young carers, through dedicated services and assessments was noted.
- The Council works well with local partners to promote people’s independence and, following the input of short-term support from reablement services, 88.52% of people no longer require long-term support. This was significantly above the national average of 79.39%.
- The inspectors also found senior leaders to be visible, capable and compassionate. Staff felt empowered to voice concerns and were confident that they would be heard and responded to.
- Workforce development was a strength with the Council’s investment in training, apprenticeships, and professional development, including support for newly qualified social workers and occupational therapists.
However, the inspectors also found that improvements were required in some areas.
These included some people and carers experiencing long waits for assessments and reviews and some people having difficulty in obtaining information in appropriate formats or languages.
All areas of improvement had already been identified by the Council and plans were in place to address them.
Cllr Diana Tremayne, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Wellbeing said:
“We welcome this report following the visit from the CQC Inspection Team in the spring and I am delighted that they found that our services are good.
“I would like to thank all the officers, partners and people and carers with lived experience who contributed and supported us throughout the process.
“There’s always more we can do, and we were already working on improvement plans in areas that have been highlighted by the Inspectors.
“Overall, however, the report is very positive, and I think reflects the service which we aim to deliver, with and for our residents.”
Cath Gormally, Calderdale Council’s Director for Adult Services and Wellbeing said:
“The inspection was incredibly rigorous, as it should be, and this outcome has given us a real opportunity to celebrate. I’m so proud of the work that we do here.
“The Inspectors recognised that our Vision 34, particularly our kindness, is reflected in the services which we deliver with our partners across the borough, day in, day out.
“We believe everyone has the right to enjoy life, living it in the way that they choose, with dignity and respect.”
The full inspection report can be found on the CQC website.(external link)
Vision 34 is a shared, long-term ambition to work towards over the next 10 years to make Calderdale a better place for everyone, based on the stories that unite us.
The Vision 34 themes are enterprising, opportunity, kind, welcoming, hope, heritage, nature and creativity. Through these themes, organisations and people from all walks of life are encouraged to share their positive stories about life in Calderdale.
Share your story on the My Calderdale Story(external link) website.
ENDS