Walsall Council urged to improve adult social care services

CQC inspectors rated Walsall Council's adult social care as "requires improvement" and advised stronger support for autistic people and those with learning disabilities. The council says assessment delays are improving and an improvement action plan is in place.

Walsall Council has been told to strengthen its adult social care support after an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Inspectors rated the council's adult social care as "requires improvement". They identified a need for better support for people who are autistic, those with learning disabilities, and people with more complex needs. The CQC also reported delays in some assessments but said those delays were improving. Key findings: - The CQC rated the council's adult social care as "requires improvement". - Inspectors said support for autistic people, people with learning disabilities and people with complex needs needed strengthening. - The report noted delays in financial and occupational therapy assessments, with inspectors saying those delays were improving. - The council reported that 93.06% of people receiving long-term support had a review in the last year and that an improvement action plan is in place. Summary: The inspection highlights areas where services and community outreach need further development while also noting aspects of effective care and improving assessment timeliness. The council has an improvement action plan and has stated it is working to deliver changes.