Under the Health and Care Act 2022, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) was given a statutory duty to assess local authorities’ delivery of their adult social care (ASC) duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014. CQC concluded the baselining stage in December 2025, whereby all councils have been assessed and the last reports will be published from June 2026
Finalised CQC reports
All finalised reports for individual councils are published on the CQC website: Local authority assessment reports.
CQC has developed an updated approach to refine and improve the assessment process, through learning from the baselining phase and with partner/stakeholder input. The new Local authority assessment guidance was published in April 2026 and will be implemented with councils from early summer 2026.
Under this regulation is a power for the Secretary of State to intervene where, following CQC assessment, it is considered that a local authority is failing to meet their duties: Department for Health and Social Care framework for adult social care (ASC) intervention in local authorities
Support for councils with CQC preparation 2026/27
Our programme this year will include:
- Updating the self-assessment tool:
Adult social care assurance: A guide to the development of your adult social care assessment
The first part provides an introduction and overview while the second part is a workbook providing tools and templates which have been developed to support the self-assessment process - Consolidating our three insights on themes and what good looks like from CQC reports:
An analysis of local authority CQC assessment reports: What does 'good' look like?
CQC: What good and outstanding looks like in adult social care
Themes from local authority CQC published assessment reports - CQC assessments for adult social care:
Must know guide for lead members
Must know guide for chief executives - Adult social care: Leadership Essentials
Wednesday 21 October – Thursday 22 October 2026, Warwick
This residential development event for adult social care lead members explores key challenges, including adult social care funding and reform, CQC assessment, safeguarding, and health and integration. The cost of attending this programme is fully subsidised and includes accommodation, meals and course materials.
To register and for further information contact: [email protected]
Past presentations
CQC assurance: baselining to BAU – insights and next steps
On Friday 17 July 2026, CQC spoke about their updated approach to improve the ASC assessment process. Councils also gave perspectives across the range of CQC ratings; and DHSC added their reflections.
Further information
Please contact your regional Care and Health Improvement Advisor for further information and support.