Lewisham social care faces improvement orders after CQC report

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-07 11:45 3 min read

An illuminated exit sign above an open door in a dark hallway.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has officially rated the London Borough of Lewisham as ‘requires improvement’ regarding its delivery of adult social care under the Care Act 2014. This assessment is part of a new legal duty for the CQC to evaluate how local authorities support their communities, specifically focusing on the wellbeing of disabled adults, older residents, and unpaid carers.

Understanding the Assessment Findings

The CQC evaluated the borough across nine distinct areas grouped into four themes, assigning each a score on a scale of one to four. While the authority achieved a score of three—indicating a standard that is generally meeting expectations—in areas such as safeguarding, staff learning, and supporting people to lead healthier lives, it received a rating of two in six other categories. A score of two indicates that evidence shows significant shortfalls in service delivery.

Key areas rated as ‘requires improvement’ include:
* Assessment of people’s needs
* Equity in experience and outcomes
* Care provision, integration, and continuity
* Partnership and community engagement
* Safe pathways, systems, and transitions
* Governance, management, and sustainability

What Changes for Residents and Carers

The report highlights a “mixed picture” for those interacting with Lewisham’s social care services. While the CQC noted a positive culture of continuous learning and effective partnership working in some areas—such as occupational therapy and enablement services—the practical application of care planning remains inconsistent.

For residents and their families, the following issues are central to the ‘requires improvement’ rating:

Assessment Delays: Many individuals reported waiting too long for assessments and reviews. These delays hinder the council’s ability to proactively manage changing health needs or identify risks before they escalate.
Support for Unpaid Carers: Data from 2023/24 indicates that only 44.29% of local carers found it easy to access information and advice, significantly trailing the England average of 59.06%. Some carers reported that respite provision was not always culturally appropriate or practical.
Equity and Accessibility: The assessment identified that services do not always reflect the diversity of the borough. Specifically, autistic people, individuals with learning disabilities, and those from ethnically diverse communities reported that services did not always meet their specific needs or experiences.

Next Steps for the Local Authority

The CQC report acknowledges that Lewisham’s leadership has already begun implementing action plans to address these priority areas. The authority is expected to focus on improving the consistency of care plans and ensuring that mental health pathways are better integrated to prevent gaps in support.

Moving forward, the council has committed to a co-production model, which involves working directly with people who have lived experience to shape future service improvements. The CQC has confirmed it will return to the borough to monitor how these changes are implemented and whether they result in more equitable outcomes for the community.

Source: Care Quality Commission News

Context & actions About this article

Source check CQC Assessment

This article is based on the official CQC local authority assessment report published on 7 August 2026.