City of York Council’s health spokesperson has pledged to leave no stone unturned in efforts to turn adult social care services around after a ‘requires improvement’ rating prompted a resignation call.
Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw, the ruling Labour group’s health, wellbeing and adult social care executive member, said services were facing significant, long-standing challenges and addressing them was a priority.
But opposition Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Cllr Carol Runciman said findings including a weak oversight over safeguarding were damning and showed Labour were failing to provide the leadership services required.
It comes after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) ordered improvements to the council’s adult social care services following an inspection last year.
A report published in December graded council services one in four areas, the lowest score indicating significant shortfalls, and two in five others.
CQC Chief Inspector Chris Badger said that although there were some committed staff who wanted to do their best for people, there were shortfalls which required immediate attention.
The chief inspector added they included long waits for assessments, support not always meeting individual needs and members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people with learning difficulties not feeling heard.
Inspectors also found people were potentially being put at risk by the authority not having effective systems and processes in place to manage safeguarding.
Mr Badger said it was positive to hear from some who were supported by kind and caring staff and the council recognised the challenges and was working to improve services.
But Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Cllr Runciman said a lack of political leadership from Labour had left staff without the stability and clarity they needed.
The opposition health spokesperson said: “This report is damning, it reflects what residents, unpaid carers and frontline staff have been telling us for months: Labour’s leadership of adult social care is not providing the direction needed.
“Staff across the sector work tirelessly and with compassion, and they need political leadership that supports their dedication.
“Residents deserve councillors who take responsibility when things go wrong, if Labour are committed to rebuilding trust in care services executive member Cllr Steels-Walshaw should consider stepping aside.”
Cllr Paul Healey, the Liberal Democrat finance spokesperson, said capacity had been stripped out of services to balance the books, leading to poor oversight and worse outcomes for residents.
Labour’s Cllr Steels-Walshaw said Liberal Democrat claims were bogus and many of the issues facing services dated back to when they were in power until May 2023’s local elections.
The executive member said: “Under the Liberal Democrat-led administration, the council was often struggling to deal with new care assessments within reasonable and expected timescales.
“It disbanded the Learning Disability Partnership in 2022 and oversaw frequent changes in senior officer leadership, issues both highlighted in this report.
“Existing challenges are significant and inspectors understand senior officers’ and political leaders’ commitment to address them as a priority, additional funds are being allocated to the service to support its improvement.
“As executive member, I will leave no stone unturned in providing the political leadership required to support this improvement process, to ensure services are meeting the needs of our residents and keeping them safe.”
