The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has today published the results of its assessment of Adult Social Care in Trafford.
Trafford Council has received an overall rating of Requires Improvement for its Adult Social Care services. The Council fully accepts the findings in the CQC assessment as they relate to a process that began more than a year ago. While recognising the progress made over the past 18 months, Trafford is clear that it is not yet where it wants or needs to be and remains committed to delivering further improvements.
Adult Social Care supports thousands of Trafford residents, including older people, adults with disabilities, people with mental health needs and unpaid carers, helping them to live safe, healthy and independent lives.
Trafford's Improving Lives Every Day (ILED) programme was established in 2024 ahead of the assessment to drive improvements across Adult Social Care, bringing together leadership, governance and service changes to make support more consistent and effective.
The report recognised strengths in Trafford's partnership working and the progress being made, saying: “There was an inclusive and positive culture of continuous learning and improvement embedded at the local authority, supported by new leadership, governance structures, and collaborative partnerships.”
In assessing Trafford's improvement journey, CQC also noted: “The local authority had a competent and passionate senior leadership team who had the vision and passion to improve services for the people of Trafford. This was reflected in the ILED programme and action plans already in place. Clear improvements had been made since the appointment of the new Interim Director of Adult Social Care in January 2025.”
Since the inspection concluded, further measures have been implemented across Adult Social Care. Mental health social care services have returned to direct Council management, while maintaining close partnership working with Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Access to support has also been improved through revised front door arrangements, with a new Adults Support and Prevention Hub due to launch in September.
Occupational Therapy waiting lists have reduced by 68% over the last nine months, while 99% of equipment is now delivered within seven days. Satisfaction among people with learning disabilities remains high at 94%, with more people supported into employment and to live independently at home.
Hospital discharge arrangements have been strengthened through a partner review and a pilot at Wythenshawe Hospital. Improvements are also being made through the Trafford Carers Strategy, including shorter waits for carers' assessments, better access to respite support, and enhanced Preparing for Adulthood pathways to support smoother transitions between children's and adult services.
Work is also underway to improve safeguarding and reablement services through multi-agency reviews led by ILED, involving partners, staff and residents. The quality assurance framework and case audit programme are helping to strengthen practice, improve case recording and increase consideration of protected characteristics through targeted staff development.
Councillor Jane Slater, Trafford Council's Executive Member for Healthy & Independent Lives, said:
"We welcome the clarity provided by this assessment and recognise the areas where further improvement is needed. We have already seen considerable progress over the past year, but we know there is more to do.
"We have listened and learned from the feedback received, working closely with the Local Government Association and Partners in Care and Health to strengthen our services. Our improvement plan is now being embedded across Adult Social Care, supported by new senior leadership arrangements, better staff morale and higher resident satisfaction.
"The report acknowledges the changes made through our improvement programme, including strengthened governance and oversight. Work is already underway to address the areas identified and our focus remains on providing safe, timely and effective care, and delivering lasting improvement for Trafford residents and carers."
Councillor Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council, said:
"We accept the findings of this assessment and are clear that improvement is required in some areas of Adult Social Care. At the same time, it is important to recognise that this report reflects a service undergoing significant change, with much of the inspection activity taking place while improvements were already underway through our Improving Lives Every Day programme.
"The report recognises that Trafford Council was fostering a positive culture of continuous learning and improvement, working with partners to give people the best possible experience of accessing services. The report also acknowledged that leaders were aware of many of the challenges highlighted during the assessment and had plans and strategies in place to address them. We are encouraged that the Care Quality Commission also recognised the progress made since the appointment of our Interim Director of Adult Social Care.
"Since then, we have continued to make progress, reducing waiting times, strengthening support for residents and improving how services are delivered. We know where further improvement is needed, but we also recognise the strengths identified by the CQC that provide a strong foundation for the next phase of our improvement journey. We have confidence in the team driving this work and a clear improvement plan to ensure residents receive safe, timely and effective support. We will continue to be open about our progress and focused on delivering lasting improvements so that residents and carers feel supported, listened to and able to live well and independently."
The Council has invested £1.32 million in Adult Social Care transformation, including workforce capacity and service improvements to improve access, reduce waiting times and strengthen support at key points in people's care.
Trafford Council will continue to be open about its progress and provide updates on improvements. This assessment relates to the Council's statutory Adult Social Care responsibilities rather than the performance of individual care providers. Many Trafford care providers are independently rated Good or Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.