Changes outlined for 'inadequate' adult social care

Blackpool Council has outlined a number of key improvements made to its adult care service after a watchdog rated its adult social care "inadequate".

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) gave Blackpool Council the lowest rating after an inspection in March.

Its report highlighted weaknesses in dealing with mental health and substance abuse, and said the authority needed a more joined-up strategy to tackle the issues rather than its current "fragmented plans".

In October, the council created an improvement board to implement the changes needed, which has reduced waiting times for services.

The board is made up of representatives from the NHS, Trinity Hospice, Empowerment, Blackpool Carers Centre and council members, and chaired independently by a former NHS and local authority director.

An improvement advisor was also appointed by the Department of Health and Social Care, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Improvements so far include:

• The number of requests for support that have been open for more than 5 days has reduced by 63%
• The number of assessments that have been open for more than 28 days has reduced by 14%, and the maximum time assessments have been open has reduced by 36%
• The median number of days that reviews of care services are overdue has been reduced by 46%
• The number of safeguarding enquiries that have been open for more than 60 days has reduced by 65% and the maximum time any safeguarding enquiry has been open has reduced by 63%

Councillor Neal Brookes, Blackpool Council's cabinet member for adult social care previously said: "We are taking this improvement plan exceptionally seriously.

"I've been really encouraged by the way that everybody involved in social care in Blackpool, from the hospitals, hospices and charities has pulled together to share expertise on how we make sure that our adults receive the best quality care."

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