Cumberland adult social services rated: "requires improvement" by watchdog
Local authority says progress is already being made as CQC report is published
Last updated 29th Jan 2026
The Care Quality Commission has rated Cumberland Council’s adult social care services as "requiring improvement",.
The inspection aimed to evaluate how well the local authority is meeting its responsibilities to ensure adults, including those with disabilities or mental health needs, are supported. The CQC assessed nine areas within four themes, scoring each area out of four, with one representing significant shortfalls. Overall findings indicated areas where progress is needed, alongside existing strengths.
Key areas requiring attention include long waiting times for occupational therapy, equipment, financial assessments, and support, particularly for people with learning disabilities. Accessibility challenges were compounded by Cumberland’s rural geography, making it difficult for some residents to access timely home care support and specialist services. Concerns were also raised about staffing pressures and reliance on agency staff unfamiliar with the area.
However, the assessment noted positives, including strong partnership working to promote independence, visible leadership, high satisfaction levels among those receiving care, and safe transitions from children's to adults’ services. A pilot programme supporting stroke recovery in the community was also highlighted for saving care hours and reducing hospital re-admissions.
Councillor Lisa Hinton, Cumberland Council's Executive Member for Adult Social Care, said:
“We welcome the CQC findings and are proud of the progress our teams have made since Local Government Reorganisation. The assessment highlights the strengths of our services and areas where we can continue to improve. Since the assessment, we have strengthened support for unpaid carers, expanded respite provision across Cumberland, and enhanced the quality and responsiveness of our services.
“Our improvement journey shows how far we’ve come, and we are committed to working closely with people across Cumberland to deliver high-quality, compassionate, and person-centred Adult Social Care now and into the future.”
Cumberland Council has announced plans to further improve services highlighted in the report, including better support for unpaid carers and enhancing safeguarding systems. Additionally, respite provision has increased by 25%, with investment through the Better Care Fund set to more than double for 2025-26. Efforts are underway to provide more specialised support and reduce delays in accessing services.