Warwickshire County Council: local authority assessment
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Overall summary
Local authority rating and score
Quality statement scores
Summary of people's experiences
People who used services and their unpaid carers generally felt happy with the care and support they received from Warwickshire County Council. They told us they received care and support which suited their needs, goals and preferences and were able to find the advice and information they needed to make choices about their care.
Assessments were carried out in a person-centred way, with staff taking time to understand each person’s situation. Most people felt listened to, were involved in decisions and said their views were respected. Waiting times for assessments were typically short, and reviews were used to adjust care when needs changed.
People were supported to live healthier lives through a wide range of preventative services. Short-term support such as reablement helped many people regain independence, with Warwickshire performing better than the national average. Many people were able to stay in their own homes for longer, through the care, support and equipment provided. They felt this helped them stay independent.
People said they were treated with respect, and their rights were protected. Staff considered people’s cultural, religious and communication needs, and built care around their routines. Advocacy services were well-established and helped people speak up and take part in decisions.
People said they felt safe using the services. They were helped to understand and manage any risks they faced. People had access to clear information about staying safe, and what to do if they were worried about their own or someone else’s safety.
Summary of strengths, areas for development and next steps
Data showed Warwickshire County Council performed well in several areas of adult social care. The Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF) reported 99.43% of people who received short-term support no longer needed ongoing care, which was significantly better than the England average of 79.39%. This showed how effective Warwickshire’s reablement and recovery-focused services were in promoting independence and reducing long-term reliance on care. Satisfaction levels were also high, with 88.31% of people saying they were satisfied with their care and support, compared to the national average of 62.72%. Review activity was strong, with 84% of people receiving long-term support having had a review in the past year. These figures highlighted effective prevention, timely reviews, and positive outcomes for people.
Processes across assessment, care planning, and review were well-structured and person-centred. Staff described using guided conversations, tailored tools, and inclusive approaches to understand people’s needs. Initial contact was responsive, and assessments were carried out by skilled teams with access to interpreters and specialist knowledge. Carers received separate assessments and support, with no waiting list and quick follow-up. Advocacy services were well-established and helped people take part in decisions, especially in complex cases.
Strengths included the use of integrated teams like Home Environment Assessment and Response Team (HEART), which supported people to live safely at home through housing adaptations. Preventative services were effective. For example, occupational therapists provided timely equipment and home adaptations, from simple aids like toilet frames to complex interventions. These helped people stay safe at home, reduced carer strain, and prevented hospital admissions or care home placements. Carers were supported through emergency services and community outreach, which helped prevent crisis situations.
Leaders had created a strong learning, improvement and innovation culture across adult social care. Staff used data confidently to monitor performance and drive change. For example, the safeguarding dashboard helped leaders monitor safeguarding activity across the system, identify patterns, and ensure timely responses to risk. It supported strategic oversight and informed reflective practice. The provider viability dashboard was used to track provider performance and identify where delays in reassessments or care changes might be impacting people’s experience. This helped the local authority target support and improved coordination. The financial assessment process also showed innovation, with the Better Care Finance online form enabling people to complete assessments independently and view indicative costs.
Workforce development was well-supported, with flexible training, access to managers for decision-making support, and reflective practice sessions. Staff described a culture of learning and collaboration, with leaders listening to frontline experience and using feedback to improve services. These approaches helped build confidence, improve access, and ensured care remained responsive and person-centred.
Areas for development included improving consistency in provider engagement during reviews, particularly in supported living settings. Some providers felt excluded from reassessments or reported delays in care changes. A few carers were unaware of their entitlements or felt unsupported during transitions and staff noted signposting to emergency carer support could be strengthened.
Next steps included continuing to reduce waiting times for assessments and reviews, improving consultation with providers, and strengthening outreach to carers. The local authority planned to build on its data systems to monitor equity and improve visibility of underrepresented groups. Staff were already working with partners to improve signposting and access to services. These actions aimed to address gaps, improve coordination, and ensure people received the right support at the right time.