Oxfordshire County Council Adult Social Care service graded ‘good’

Oxfordshire County Council’s adult social care service has been awarded a ‘good’ rating following a planned inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

The CQC report, published today, highlights the strength of the council’s Oxfordshire Way vision, which supports people to live well and independently within their own communities. The report also commends the council’s positive partnership working with the NHS and the voluntary and community sector, which is central to the strategy.

The council’s teams were praised for their person-centred approach, with a focus on building relationships and trust to better understand residents’ needs.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “I’m delighted to confirm our ‘good’ rating following the CQC inspection and congratulate everyone involved in achieving this positive outcome.

“The report highlights our clear vision for adult social care in Oxfordshire and the strong partnerships that help us to keep improving services for residents. This rating reflects a well-integrated service working at scale with NHS and social care partners.

“I also want to recognise the dedication of our care workers. Their commitment is absolutely central to this rating.”

CQC local authority assessments have been a statutory requirement for all councils with a responsibility for adult social care since April 2023, as part of the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place between Monday 13 and Friday 17 January 2025 and involved meetings and focus groups with members of the council’s adult social care team, councillors, external partners and people who draw on the service.

The report also highlighted several strengths in the council’s service, including:

• A well-managed transition process for young people moving into adulthood, with conversations described as “aspirational and ambitious”.
• Strong relationships with community and voluntary sector partners, enabling the council to better understand and plan for local needs.
• Marked improvements in safeguarding, with long-standing cases reduced from 286 to just 18 within a year.
• Effective reablement services, with 77% of people regaining full independence following support, demonstrating strong outcomes in helping residents recover after hospital discharge.

This latest rating follows the council’s children’s services also being graded ‘good’ by Ofsted in April 2024, reflecting Oxfordshire’s commitment to delivering high-quality support across all age groups.

Oxfordshire County Council remains firmly committed to strengthening adult social care. Findings from the recent CQC assessment will play a key role in shaping ongoing improvement plans.

To ensure services are responsive, inclusive, and continually improving, the council will continue working closely with partners, care providers, the voluntary and community sectors, and, most importantly, residents, their families, and carers.

Listen as Cllr Tim Bearder explains what makes adult social care in Oxfordshire so successful.

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