Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: October 22, 2025

Purpose:

Content: 11.1 The Interim Executive Director of Adult Care and Wellbeing was in attendance to provide Committee with updates in relation to the CQC Assessment of Adult Care and Wellbeing; including the latest CQC activity in Adult Social Care (including recent on-site visit), next steps in the process including timeframe, key risks and issues and improvement plans.     11.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee: Notes the performance and delivery of the onsite CQC visit including staff participation and experience Notes the preparations for the CQC assessment, which will conclude before the end of 2025 Notes the next stage of the CQC assessment process and potential impact of the final outcome     11.3 Reasons for Decision     11.3.1 Asking for regular updates on the Strategy Delivery, our Performance and CQC will enable the Committee, wider stakeholders, and the public to hold the Council to account for progress, whilst also providing an additional mechanism to input to future development.     11.3.2 Asking for regular updates and refreshes of the CQC self-assessment, including wider assessment preparations and communications will enable Committee to have oversight and assurance that Adult Care know themselves and are able to drive forward service improvements, alongside the assurance that we are well prepared for the CQC assessment process.?     11.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     11.4.1 Do not participate in the CQC Assessment Process The Health and Care Act 2022 gave the CQC new powers to provide a meaningful and independent assessment of care at a local authority and integrated care system level. This means that ACW in Sheffield did not have the option to not participate in this process.     11.4.2 Do not Prepare for the CQC Assessment The CQC assessment of Adult Social Care Services is not optional. The outcomes of the assessment are published on the CQC website and have ramifications wider than Adult Care and Wellbeing. A negative Outcome would mean that we are not delivering our duties under the Care Act. In addition, a negative outcome would impact on the reputation of the Council, the confidence of our customers and partners, recruitment and retention, staff morale, and potential funding opportunities.     11.4.3 Do not share the ACW CQC Self-Assessment with partners and in the public domain To not share the self-assessment and ask for comment would go against the approach and principles we are embedding as business as usual in Adult Care. To have both credibility and relevance, it is vital that this is a report which provides an honest and transparent narrative for adult social care informed by the voices and experiences of staff, partners, commissioned providers, VCSE, and the people who access our services, their families, carers, and those with lived experience.