Blackpool Council update on Adult Services progress after last year’s ‘inadequate’ CQC rating

A damning CQC report on Blackpool’s Adult Social care last year has ended up being a positive wake-up call which has improved services, an annual report concludes.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) gave Blackpool Council’s adult services the lowest rating of ‘inadequate’ in its report in August 2025, following an earlier inspection in March.

Its report highlighted weaknesses in dealing with mental health and substance abuse, saying “the authority had fragmented plans to tackle these issues and need a more strategic joined-up approach”, and also concluded that urgent action was needed on leadership, management and safeguarding.

Stephen Chapman, independent chairman for the Blackpool Safeguarding Adults Board, has presented an annual report on the Board’s progress for the council’s Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee to consider.

The Board is a multi-agency partnership that oversees, coordinates, and leads strategies to protect vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect in Blackpool.

He says in the report, which covers the period from September 2025 to March 2026: “The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) assessment of Adult Social Care (ASC) has been the defining strategic event of the year.

“Whilst it identified important areas requiring improvement, it also provided an opportunity to strengthen governance, improve assurance and accelerate system wide improvement.

“Throughout the year the Board has sought assurance that improvement activity is resulting in tangible changes to safeguarding practice and better outcomes for adults.

“We have challenged where appropriate, supported where necessary and maintained our focus on sustainable improvement.

“The Board has continued to strengthen its own effectiveness through refreshed governance arrangements, new Strategic Delivery Groups, enhanced Audit and Assurance arrangements and improved scrutiny of performance.

“These developments matter because they strengthen accountability and provide greater confidence that the partnership is addressing the issues that matter most to adults in Blackpool.

“I have been encouraged by the willingness of partners to embrace learning, respond constructively to scrutiny and work collaboratively.”

There has been progress in self neglect, still one of the most challenging areas of adult care, trauma-informed practice, co-production and multi-agency audit.

Another key area which is being emphasised is an approach called Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP), which the report says demonstrates a partnership increasingly focused on quality and the experiences of those it serves.

Mr Chapman continues: “Nevertheless, significant challenges remain. Demand continues to increase, and the complexity of safeguarding practice is growing.

“The Board therefore continues to seek assurance regarding the quality and consistency of safeguarding practice, the effectiveness of multi-agency working and the extent to which learning from Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SAR’s) is embedded into everyday practice.

“Looking ahead, our priorities remain clear: continuing oversight of CQC improvement activity, strengthening assurance, improving the quality and interpretation of performance information, embedding learning from reviews and audits, amplifying lived experience and maintaining relentless focus on improving outcomes for adults with care and support needs.

“Whilst there remains much to do, I am confident that the Board has the leadership, commitment and determination to continue improving safeguarding arrangements for the people of Blackpool. “

The report is presented to the committee on Thursday.