Reading Borough Council’s adult social care service has been rated ‘requires improvement’ in its latest assessment by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The report evaluated the council’s adherence to the Care Act (2014) in ensuring residents have access to social care and support.
The assessment highlighted several strengths, including strong, transparent leadership, effective hospital discharge and reablement services, innovative use of technology to support independence, and collaborative partnerships with health, voluntary, and community organisations. Targeted support for refugees, asylum seekers, and people with sensory impairments was also praised.
Since the assessment, which was carried out between July 2024 and December 2024, the council’s improvement plan has reduced Care Act assessment times from 48 to 31 days, accelerated safeguarding enquiries, and expanded services for unpaid carers and occupational therapy.
Cllr Paul Gittings, lead councillor for Adult Social Care, said he was pleased the CQC had acknowledged the council’s ‘commitment to improvement and innovation’, however, he challenged the report’s overall findings.
‘We believe the report does not accurately evidence the excellent work we do in Reading or provide an accurate description of improvements which have already been made,’ he said.
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