Bexley Council adult social care rated ‘Requires Improvement’, carers face limited respite
The Care Quality Commission’s October 2025 inspection gave the service four ‘Good’ scores and five ‘Requires Improvement’ marks, prompting the council to launch a robust improvement plan.
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The Care Quality Commission issued a ‘Requires Improvement’ rating for Bexley Council’s adult social care services following its inspection in October 2025. The assessment placed the authority one point short of a ‘Good’ rating, according to a report published this month.
Inspectors evaluated the service across nine separate categories. The council achieved ‘Good’ outcomes in four areas, while the remaining five categories, equity in experience and outcomes, care provision, integration and continuity, safe pathways, and safeguarding and governance, fell short of the required standard.
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Why the rating matters for residents
The shortfall in respite provision directly affects unpaid carers who rely on short‑term breaks to maintain their own health. The CQC also highlighted that service users do not always have access to a diverse range of care options, and overall satisfaction was weaker than expected.
Despite the criticisms, inspectors praised the council’s community engagement, re‑ablement services and the use of equipment such as toilet frames to support independent living. These strengths were noted alongside effective partnership working across health and voluntary sectors.
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Council’s response
“Our council is dedicated to providing high-quality services and to continually improving.”
Janice Ward‑Wilson, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health
Cabinet Member for Adults and Health Janice Ward‑Wilson said the council is developing a robust improvement plan to address the findings. She added that the council has already begun steps such as launching a Direct Payment support service, co‑producing an information resource for carers and assigning staff to expedite Care Act reviews.
Council Leader David Leaf acknowledged the report as a long‑time expectation, noting that improvement measures were already underway when inspectors arrived. He expressed confidence that a forthcoming monitoring inspection will allow the council to demonstrate the impact of those measures.
Next steps
The CQC will return for a monitoring inspection later this year. Council officials intend to use that visit to show progress in the five categories flagged for improvement, particularly in expanding respite options for carers.
Questions this report answers
+What rating did the CQC give Bexley Council’s adult social care services?
The Care Quality Commission gave Bexley Council’s adult social care a ‘Requires Improvement’ rating after its October 2025 inspection. The rating placed the authority one point short of a ‘Good’ score and highlighted five areas needing improvement.
+Which areas did the CQC say required improvement?
The CQC identified five categories that required improvement: equity in experience and outcomes, care provision, integration and continuity, safe pathways, and safeguarding and governance. These were among nine categories assessed during the inspection.
+What actions is the council taking to address the rating?
Bexley Council is implementing a robust improvement plan that includes a Direct Payment support service, a co‑produced information resource for carers, and dedicated staff to speed up Care Act reviews. The council aims to show progress at the upcoming monitoring inspection.
+When will the council be inspected again?
The CQC has scheduled a monitoring inspection for later this year. Council leaders expect the visit to confirm that the improvement actions have raised the service’s performance in the five categories previously flagged.
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