Lambeth care users benefit as CQC rates services good
Adult social care services in Lambeth have been rated “good” by the Care Quality Commission, with inspectors saying residents generally felt listened to and supported by staff who understood what mattered in their lives.
The rating is the second-highest available under the CQC’s local authority assessment framework. Lambeth Council said the outcome places the borough among the top 10% of councils nationally for adult social care, based on overall scores published so far.
Almost 5,000 people in Lambeth receive long-term adult social care support. The services cover a wide range of needs, from help for older residents and working-age disabled adults to support for unpaid carers and people recovering after illness or injury.
Fairness highlighted across diverse communities
Inspectors gave Lambeth an “outstanding” rating for Equity in Experience and Outcomes, one of the areas assessed as part of the overall inspection.
Chris Badger, CQC’s chief inspector of adult social care and integrated care, said fairness was “a clear strength” in the borough, particularly because Lambeth is one of London’s most ethnically diverse areas.
The CQC pointed to services developed for communities whose needs can be overlooked. These included specialist residential care for Asian and Jewish communities, accommodation for LGBTQ+ residents, and culturally specific peer support for people from African and Caribbean backgrounds.
For residents and families, that part of the report matters because adult social care is not a single standard service. Care packages can differ sharply in intensity, duration and cost, depending on a person’s health, independence, housing situation and support network.
Faster assessments and joined-up support
The CQC said people using Lambeth’s adult social care services generally reported positive experiences. Inspectors heard that assessments were arranged quickly, sometimes at times and places that suited residents, and that staff focused on what mattered most to the person receiving care.
The report also praised partnership working between Lambeth Council, NHS services and voluntary sector organisations. Inspectors said this helped with faster hospital discharge and more joined-up care.
Short-term support was another focus of the inspection. The CQC said staff worked with health partners to provide equipment, rehabilitation and practical help after illness or injury, allowing many people to recover without needing ongoing long-term care.
That approach is central to how councils try to manage adult social care demand. Early advice, prevention and reablement services can reduce pressure on long-term care budgets while helping residents remain at home for longer.
How the CQC judged Lambeth
The Care Quality Commission now has a legal duty to inspect local authority adult social care services in England. Its assessments look at how well councils support wellbeing, independence and access to care for adults with needs and unpaid carers.
Councils are assessed across nine areas grouped under four wider themes. Each area is scored from one to four, with one showing significant shortfalls and four showing an exceptional standard. Lambeth scored threes and fours across the board.
The finding follows wider scrutiny of council-run care services across England. Beehiveweb has also reported on another recent CQC outcome in Birmingham adult social care, where inspectors similarly examined safety, support and gaps in provision.
Council spending and next steps for residents
Lambeth Council invests close to £150 million a year in adult social care services. The funding supports residents with the highest levels of need, while also paying for services intended to help others stay as independent as possible.
Ian Davis, Lambeth Council’s chief executive, said the rating showed the council’s frontline work had been recognised by independent inspectors.
He said: “I want to say well done to everyone working in our adult social care services and to our valued partners who are key to these efforts. We are committed to both keeping up the good work and further improvement.”
The full CQC report is available through the regulator’s website.
Source: London Borough of Lambeth
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This article was written from Lambeth Council’s published account of the CQC assessment and checked against the named regulator, rating and inspection themes.
- Confirmed the rating described was “good” for Lambeth adult social care services.
- Checked that the Care Quality Commission was the named inspection body.
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- Kept financial and service-user figures to the values stated in the source.
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- Love Lambeth
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- London Borough of Lambeth
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- 2026-05-27 18:15
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