Hackney Council Confronts Social Care Deficiencies Following Critical Watchdog Assessment
Hackney Council has publicly acknowledged significant shortcomings in its adult social care services following a highly critical review by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The watchdog's February assessment awarded the borough's adult social care services a 'Requires Improvement' rating, highlighting substantial delays in care assessments and other service deficiencies.
Council Leadership Acknowledges Systemic Problems
Cllr Chris Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, conceded that the CQC's verdict was "not unfair" and admitted the council had not been adequately managing assessment timelines. "We clearly weren't as on top of [assessment times] as we should have been," Kennedy stated during a recent Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission meeting held on March 2.
The council leader expressed particular disappointment that Hackney's overall score of 62 out of 100 placed the borough just below the threshold for a 'Good' rating. Despite the critical findings, Kennedy emphasized that the service was now "moving in the right direction" with improvement efforts underway.
Revealing Assessment Delays and Service Gaps
Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care, Chris Badger, revealed during the review that some individuals classified as lower risk by the council had been waiting up to two years for remote care assessments. The CQC report identified multiple areas requiring improvement beyond assessment delays, including continuity of care, safeguarding protocols, and the implementation of safe pathways, systems, and transitions.
A particularly concerning finding involved young people transitioning from children's to adult social care services. The watchdog discovered that some individuals did not receive assessments until they turned 18, leaving them without proper care and support plans during this critical life transition.
Scrutiny Committee Challenges Council Transparency
Scrutiny committee Chair Cllr Ben Hayhurst (Labour) challenged the council's transparency regarding service problems prior to the CQC report's publication. Hayhurst revealed that committee members had observed assessment delays "for a while" but had been told by officers that this represented a national issue rather than a local failing.
"It had taken the CQC's review for councillors to get a 'reflective answer'," Hayhurst asserted during the meeting. Cllr Kennedy acknowledged the criticism, stating Hayhurst was "right to feel dissatisfied about what you were told earlier."
Council Officials Respond to Criticism
Director of Adult Social Care Operations, Georgina Diba, offered apologies to the scrutiny committee "if it was felt that we haven't been transparent." Diba explained that officers had previously presented data on assessment times to councillors before the CQC report emerged, highlighting the council's efforts to reduce waiting times for priority cases amid rising demand and static staffing levels.
Regarding safeguarding concerns, Diba described the CQC report as "balanced" and noted that it recognized the council's knowledge, skills, and practitioner capabilities. She further explained that the watchdog's inspection occurred during the implementation phase of a new transition pathway for young people moving into adult social care, which has since been fully launched.
Fundamental Questions About Service Purpose
Cllr Ben Lucas (Labour) raised fundamental questions about the service's effectiveness, stating: "Fundamentally, if we're not providing safety for residents, what is the point of the service? That should be our number one priority." This sentiment echoed throughout the scrutiny commission meeting as councillors pressed for concrete improvement plans and greater transparency moving forward.
The council now faces increased pressure to demonstrate measurable progress in addressing the identified deficiencies while managing growing demand for adult social care services with limited resources.
