Lewisham Council response to Care Quality Commission assessment of adult social care services

While we accept the CQC’s assessment, it’s important to note that the inspection took place nearly a year ago and work is already underway to address identified opportunities for improvement. 

The report highlights lots of strengths across our services and we received praise for our:

• strong safeguarding arrangements and a well-established safeguarding partnership
• highly valued occupational therapy and enablement teams, with some residents describing the support as ‘life-enhancing’
• clear assessment and discharge pathways supported by strong multi-agency collaboration
• person-centred and strengths-based practice that supports residents to achieve greater independence
• focus on prevention and early intervention, helping to prevent, reduce and delay the need for hospital stays

We are also pleased that the report points to the dedication of our staff who made it clear to inspectors that they are proud to serve Lewisham residents. 

At the same time, we recognise that the report identifies areas where we need to improve. We know that some people have experienced delays in assessments and reviews, while others have not always felt fully involved in decisions about their care. The report highlights the need for us to make sure residents have equal access to services, improve support for unpaid carers, make better use of data to inform services, and ensure people with more complex needs can access the right support at the right time.

We are already taking action in a number of these areas. Indeed, since the report was compiled in October 2025, we have:

• appointed more staff to assess and support unpaid carers – we’ve already seen a significant improvement in the percentage of unpaid carers who found it easy to access information and advice
• improved internal communications so staff are clearer about the support available
• made changes to our Gateway Service so people receive better support when they first contact us
• continued to review our data so it is clearer and easier to use

From September 2026, our mental health social work service will be brought back into the Council. This will help improve data availability and consistency with a focus on safeguarding, Care Act Assessments and Reviews.

Cllr Samantha Gardiner, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, said:

"Firstly, I would like to thank our adult social care staff and partners for their dedication and commitment to supporting residents. As a nurse myself, I know the positive difference our staff make to people’s lives every day.

“The report recognises many of the strengths in Lewisham’s services, including the positive difference our staff make to people’s lives – all while they continue to face increasing demand and significant financial pressures.

“This rating from the inspection in 2025, reflects challenges inherited from the previous administration. Years of government austerity have hollowed out local government funding and driven cuts to social care, all whilst the demand for care has continued to rise. We will be unapologetically vocal about our pursuit for increased national funding to council services, in order for us to deliver the services our residents need and deserve.

“As a new administration, our priorities are investing in prevention and early intervention, tackling health inequalities, making services more accessible, and ensuring residents have a stronger voice in shaping the support they receive. Work is already underway to improve support for unpaid carers, make better use of data and involving residents in shaping the future of our day services.

“We are determined to deliver improvements and drive the changes needed to secure a higher CQC rating for Lewisham in the future, so that every resident can access high-quality, person-centred care when they need it.”