The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has upgraded Swindon Borough Council’s rating from requires improvement to good for how well the authority meets its responsibilities to ensure people have access to adult social care and support under the Care Act (2014).
CQC assessed the council against nine quality statements across four themes, using a four-point scoring system. These scores led to an overall rating of requires improvement. After the report was published in October 2025, Swindon Borough Council requested a review of the rating. CQC agreed that the council met the criteria for a review.
CQC undertook a formal review of the rating. This included an independent review by a senior CQC member of staff who was not involved in the original assessment. This approach ensured the process was fair, rigorous, and consistent.
Following the review, it was found that there was additional evidence in relation to the quality statement regarding governance and leadership. Their score for this quality statement has now increased from 2 to 3, which means the overall rating for the authority has been upgraded from requires improvement to good.
1. assessing people’s needs: 2
2. supporting people to lead healthier lives: 2
3. equity in experience and outcomes: 2
4. care provision, integration and continuity of care: 3
5. partnership and communities: 3
6. safe pathways, systems and transitions: 2
7. safeguarding: 3
8. governance, management and sustainability: 3
9. learning, improvement and innovation: 3