Care Quality Commission
Councils are responding to Care Quality Commission assessments of adult social care, SEND services, and hospital provision, with varied ratings and improvement plans.
Lewisham Council is enhancing support for unpaid carers following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in August 2026 that rated its adult social care services 'Good' but identified areas for development. Sutton's adult social care also received a 'Good' rating from the CQC in 2025, with praise for Technology Enabled Care, though the service faces rising demand and financial pressures. Havering Council's People Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee is set to review its CQC improvement plan in September 2026.
Sutton's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services require priority action after a joint CQC and Ofsted inspection in September 2026 identified issues with dysphagia pathways. In contrast, Hammersmith and Fulham's SEND services received the highest possible rating from Ofsted and the CQC in June 2026. Elsewhere, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust's maternity services achieved a 'Good' CQC rating in March 2026, while North Middlesex Hospital's maternity service was rated 'Requires Improvement' in January 2025.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care services in England, assessing and rating their quality. Councils are continuing to address CQC findings, with Lambeth's Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee scheduled to discuss related matters in October 2026. Bromley Council's Adult Services was rated 'Requires Improvement' in January 2026, with the council raising concerns about the CQC report's findings.
Key facts
- Sutton's adult social care services were rated 'Good' by the CQC in 2025. Source 1 Source 2
- Sutton's SEND services require priority action following a CQC and Ofsted joint inspection in September 2026. Source
- Lewisham's adult social care services were rated 'Good' by the CQC in August 2026. Source 1 Source 2
- Havering Council's People Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee will review the CQC improvement plan in September 2026. Source
- Hammersmith and Fulham's SEND services received the highest possible rating from Ofsted and the CQC in June 2026. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.