Croydon's care homes are providing high-quality service, with nearly 90% being rated as 'Good' or 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This was revealed in the Adult Social Care and Health Local Account 2024-25, which was presented at a Croydon Council Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 23 July 2025.
The Adult Social Care and Health Local Account 2024-25 highlighted the achievements of the Adult Social Care and Health Directorate over the past financial year. The report also outlined the next steps for the directorate's strategy for the next five years, with a commitment to transparency and visibility on the progress of its delivery.
Alongside the high ratings for care homes, the report noted that 672 adults had a service, and included stories of residents who had been supported by the council, including through reablement, extra care, and direct payments.
The report also detailed progress against actions since the last local account, including:
- Developing community micro-enterprises
- Piloting pre-paid resident feedback
- Delivering a review of the approach to technology enabled care
- Expanding the reablement offer
- Implementing a more personalised and holistic integrated discharge assessment and planning approach
- Reviewing how day services are provided
- Further developing and expanding Active Lives
- Reviewing the operating model for adult safeguarding
- Delivering the workforce development strategic action plan
The Adults Living Independently Transformation Programme aims to support residents to increase their independence, enhance their outcomes and quality of life, and reduce reliance on commissioned care services.
One of the challenges identified in the Adult Social Care and Health Local Account 2024-25 is the increase in demand for services, which is over and above demographic growth, with increasing activity and complexity of needs
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The report identified strengths such as partnership working, innovative commissioning models, a dedicated workforce, and an effective reablement offer. Challenges included increases in demand for services and the need to strengthen efforts to identify and address any inequities in accessing services. The report states that the forthcoming Adult Social Care and Health Strategy will include specific proposed priorities around tackling any inequities in accessing services, and achieving positive outcomes across different groups.
The Adult Social Care and Health Strategy is currently being refreshed, with initial engagement concluded, reaching over a thousand residents, VCFS organisations, partners and professionals. The aim is to publish the next Adult Social Care and Health Strategy in 2026. Residents can get involved through different groups listed on the Croydon Council website.
The council worked with PA Consulting to review their Technology Enabled Care (TEC) offer. The aim is to assess where they can use technology more readily to support residents earlier, to maximise independence, and prevent an increase in need. They are implementing recommendations, including developing a strategic approach to technology, and a redesign of the service, due to be completed in 2025.
The 'pre-paid resident feedback' pilot program launched in February 2025, with a trial for residents accessing Older People services through a paper survey. Residents who have received a visit from a social worker can give their feedback through an online survey. The council will monitor uptake and feedback, and report to their Performance Board. This is where insights will inform their operational and strategic decisions. Findings will also inform their strategy refresh, due to be produced later this year.
Councillor Yvette Hopley, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, is dedicated to hearing from residents and ensuring their voices are heard in council decisions. The council is working to identify the best way to rebuild trust with the community and center resident voice in its operations.
Mayor Jason Perry stated that he is proud of the workforce and the vision they are working towards for Croydon residents.
Annette McPartland, Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health, said she is looking forward to reflecting on the report that the council will receive from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on its strengths, and where there are opportunities to work with communities and partners to improve the quality of services and the outcomes of residents who use them.
