County adult social care rating upgraded to 'good'

Lincolnshire County Council's adult social care services have been rated as "good" overall.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) previously rated the authority as "requiring improvement" in August, but issued a revised rating after the council requested a review.

The health and social care regulator said it had been able to clarify evidence the authority had submitted in relation to governance, management and sustainability.

The assessment team found the council had strong systems in place to monitor performance and quality, with staff describing a more open and positive culture, as well as greater leadership visibility in many areas.

In addition, the council continued to work with health, voluntary and community sector partners to establish a new mental health service model, the CQC said.

The authority had also identified priority areas to support carers, as well as working with primary care services to raise awareness of their support needs.

It had also co-produced the Lincolnshire Suicide Prevention Strategy and secured funding for three countywide suicide prevention projects.

The CQC looked at nine areas spread across four themes, including providing support and leadership, with a score out of four given - with one representing significant shortfalls and four showing an exceptional standard.

Assessors said the authority's governance, management and sustainability rating had increased from two to three, meaning the overall rating for the authority had been revised from "requires improvement" to "good".

Commenting on the August review, Martin Samuels, the council's executive director for adult care and community wellbeing, said the focus was on "continuing to strengthen the quality, consistency and impact of our services".

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