A recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) report has highlighted serious shortcomings in Somerset Council’s adult social care services, prompting calls from Conservative figures for urgent action. Despite increased funding and dedication from front-line staff, the council’s services were found to require improvement in several key areas.
The comprehensive inspection, carried out in September 2025, praised the commitment of carers and occupational therapists but uncovered issues including long delays in assessments and difficulties recruiting and retaining staff. The report outlined that waits stretched across all types of social care provision, with some assessments delayed by over two years.
The CQC assessed Somerset Council against the Care Act 2014 standards, focusing on collaboration with service users, safety measures, leadership, and overall support quality. While the council demonstrated positive efforts—such as effectively partnering with NHS and local providers, investing more in prevention, which reduced hospital stays by 35%, and innovative rural partnerships—several notable concerns remain.
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Chris Badger, CQC Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, acknowledged the council’s ongoing challenges, citing financial pressures and structural changes following its transition to a unitary authority in 2023. He noted that while improvements are underway, these changes have yet to translate into consistent, positive experiences for residents.
Since the Liberal Democrats took control in May 2022, adult social care spending has increased by £80 million; however, opposition voices question why this investment has not led to better recruitment, service quality, or outcomes. Conservative Councillor Lucy Trimnell criticized the council for failing to convert funding into effective service improvements, expressing concern over the upkeep of care standards despite higher council tax contributions.
Further criticism came from Sir Ashley Fox, Conservative MP for Bridgwater, who highlighted alarming delays in Care Act assessments and reviews, inconsistent support for carers, and a lack of contingency planning. He questioned the effectiveness of expensive restructuring and consultancy efforts under the current administration, describing the situation as a “wake-up call” for the Liberal Democrat leadership.
In response, Councillor Sarah Wakefield, portfolio holder for adult services, acknowledged disappointment with some findings but emphasized the council’s commitment to ongoing improvements and working closely with partners to enhance care provision and safety.
As Somerset Council embarks on this journey of improvement, the CQC report underscores the need for urgent action to ensure that increased resources and reform initiatives translate into better, safer care experiences for local residents.