RICHMOND IS TOP FOR SUPPORTING ADULTS IN CARE
Richmond Council has once again been ranked as one of the top-performing London boroughs for adult social care, with residents reporting high levels of quality of life and control over their daily lives, latest Adult Social Care End of Year Performance Report shows.
The report measures Richmond’s performance against the Department of Health and Social Care’s Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF) for 2023/24 and compares it to 31 other London boroughs (excluding the City of London and Hackney).
Richmond Council’s results reinforce its reputation for delivering high-quality, person-centred care despite sector-wide challenges.
Key achievements include:
- Top-rated in London for the proportion of service users who have control over their daily life
- Highest ranking for the proportion of carers who feel included in decisions about the person they care for
- Best in London for carers’ ease of access to support and information
- Joint top position for social care-related quality of life and percentage of individuals on self-directed support, including direct payments
- Second highest in London for the proportion of service users receiving direct payments to help them live independently at home
Cllr Piers Allen, Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee, said:
“We are incredibly proud that Richmond upon Thames continues to set the standard for adult social care in London. Supporting our most vulnerable residents to live independently, with dignity and choice, is at the heart of everything we do.
“While challenges persist across the care sector, we are continuing to make bold strides to improve outcomes. Our commitment to commissioning, supported living, reablement and care technology is already having a tangible impact. Most importantly, feedback from those using our services confirms they are satisfied with their care and quality of life – which is the ultimate measure of success.”
Richmond Council has consistently performed strongly across ASCOF’s performance indicators.
In 2023/24, there were 22 reportable indicators grouped into three categories: service user survey (7), the carer survey, carried out biennially (5), and performance indicators (10).
Richmond ranked in the top two quartiles for 19 of the 22 indicators in 2023/24.
Key initiatives underway include:
- A comprehensive commissioning programme to support younger adults with learning disabilities to live independently, including a new site at Duke’s Place
- A strengthened focus on reablement and care technology, contributing to improvements in older adult care home admissions, now back to second-quartile performance
- Continued collaboration with health and care partners to enhance services and ensure all residents receive the support they need
Councillor Allen added: “We will continue to listen to our residents, work with partners, and innovate in our approach to care to ensure Richmond remains a leader in social care delivery.
“Our priority is to ensure that every person who needs support receives the right care, at the right time, in a way that allows them to maintain their independence and dignity. We are committed to continuously improving our services to meet the evolving needs of our community.
“Thank you to all those working in the care sector across Richmond upon Thames. Your dedication ensures our borough remains a place where people receive the support they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives, for longer.”
Councillor Piers Allen, Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Services Committee and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board