Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: September 23, 2025

Purpose: Report to Cabinet detailing Buckinghamshire Adults and Health performance in the 2025 CQC Local Authority Single Assessment Framework inspection.

Content: Under the Health and Care Act 2022, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) introduced a new Single Assessment Framework to evaluate how local authorities deliver their duties under the Care Act 2014, providing a national overview of Adult Social Care delivery against four key themes.   ·               Theme 1: Working with People ·               Theme 2: Providing Support ·               Theme 3: How the Local Authority ensures safety within the system ·               Theme 4: Leadership   Buckinghamshire Council’s CQC inspection process was completed over six months, with four key stages of the inspection process: information return, partner and service users’ interviews, senior leadership presentation and onsite inspection. Evidence submitted included 211 pieces of evidence, a data pack highlighting key performance data and 107 people were interviewed during the site visit.    The assessment report was published on 18 July 2025. Buckinghamshire Council was rated as ‘Good’ with a score of 73%. Most areas within the assessment were found to be of a good standard and the report highlighted that the service was performing well and meeting the expectations of CQC.   The Council was proud to have achieved a ‘Good’ rating and remained committed to continuous improvement.  To respond to feedback within the report and ensure that high-quality services were maintained, the Council would specifically address transitions which was rated ‘Requires Improvement’. The Council would also take steps to further strengthen practice in areas rated ‘Good’ but which the Council had reflected could be strengthened.   RESOLVED that the outcome of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment report which rated Buckinghamshire Council as “Good” against its single assessment framework be noted.