Croydon Council welcomes the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) assessment rating its Adult Social Care and Health services as ‘Good’ overall, recognising the borough’s commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred care and support to residents.

This positive rating reflects the hard work and dedication of council staff, partners, and community organisations. It acknowledges the improvements in Croydon’s support for disabled adults, older people, and unpaid carers under the Care Act 2014.

The Council will work with residents, carers, and partners to build on this success and make sure services for adults keep getting better.

Croydon has achieved this CQC result despite being among the most financially challenged councils in the country, with high demand for social care services contributing to pressures on the budget.

The CQC’s assessment particularly commended Croydon for listening to and including residents in decisions about their care, supporting people to stay independent using the least restrictive options. Many people gave positive feedback about the preventative support they received, which helped them to feel more independent and in control of their health and care needs.

“This is a proud moment for Croydon. Our ‘Good’ rating from the CQC is a testament to the incredible work of our Adult Social Care and Health teams. My priority is for residents to live healthier, independent lives for longer, and this assessment shows we are on the right path. We will continue to listen, learn, and improve.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon

Geraldine O’Shea, a Croydon resident and service user, shared: “The support I’ve received from Croydon Council has made a real difference in my life. I feel listened to and respected, and I’ve been able to stay independent thanks to the care provided.”

The Council’s partnerships with the NHS and voluntary sector is highlighted by the CQC as an example of good joint working to provide quality care for residents.

The inspectors saw that staff had good links with community services, and there were innovative creative health initiatives to support people’s wellbeing. However, there was some mixed feedback about support for the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. Some local groups needed greater clarity around how the Council will commission services from them in the long term and more support for them to be sustainable.

Staff in the Council’s Adult Social Care and Health teams told the CQC they feel well supported and motivated to do the best in their work. CQC inspectors heard how many staff had developed their careers and felt a strong sense of pride and commitment. Staff recognised local challenges and understood how their roles impacted on people’s access to care.

The CQC also highlighted that local authority leaders and staff demonstrated comprehensive understanding of local inequalities, and equality, diversity and inclusion was rooted in practice. There was a sophisticated understanding of strengths, gaps, actions and outcomes to improve equity.

Whilst celebrating this achievement, Croydon Council acknowledges the areas for improvement identified by the CQC and is actively working to address them. These include support for unpaid carers, occupational therapy wait times, contingency planning, co-production/resident engagement and direct payment uptake.

Councillor Yvette Hopley, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “We are committed to delivering services that reflect the needs and voices of our residents. This rating shows we are making real progress, and we will keep working to ensure every resident receives the support they deserve.”

Annette McPartland, Corporate Director, Adult Social Care and Health, said: “I want to thank our staff, partners, and residents who have helped shape our services. Their feedback and collaboration have been vital. We are proud of this recognition and remain focused on continuous improvement.”

The full assessment report is available on the CQC website.