Priorities for the CQC’s Local Authority Assessments. Written by Paul Dodd

As the Health and Care Act 2022 required, the priorities for the Care Quality Commission’s Local Authority Assessments have been set out.

It is agreed that the quality and person-focused nature of care provided can have a major impact on wellbeing and quality of life of those receiving it. Consistency in the provision of this is also key, crossing sector and provider boundaries with seamless care. It, therefore, follows, that the monitoring and assurance systems required to ensure performance, transparency and accountability across all Health and Care providers, should also be consistent.

The Single Assessment Framework, being rolled out by the CQC clearly needs to include the Local Authorities’ performance in delivering their Adult Social Care responsibilities. The priorities for inspections set out by ministers are worth noting, whether involved at Local Authority or provider level, as demonstrating a consistent level and quality at all levels of the system is going to be key to a resilient sector.

So, what has been set out as areas of priority? 

These would seem to be intended to follow through, on the five key questions we are already familiar with from the Single Assessment Framework.

These being expressed as ‘we statements’, they give the opportunity to show what is needed to deliver high-quality, person-centred care from the front line through to the Local Authority level and beyond.

The initial data gathering was due to begin being undertaken by the CQC from April 1^st along with some piolet assessments, assessing against prescribed duties from the of the Care Act 2014, looking at:

Wherever our focus is in the overall system, the reporting lines are clear. Developing our evidence portfolios, embedding policies and monitoring will set us in good stead for whatever changes are to come.