Adult Social Care Services in North Northants “Require Improvement”
Written by HFM News on 4th March 2026
Adult social care provided by North Northamptonshire Council has been rated as “Requires Improvement” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The watchdog highlighted shortfalls across nine areas, including safety, leadership, and partnership working.
However, it also noted positive outcomes, with over 66% of people expressing satisfaction with their care and support.
Many reported regular contact with practitioners, tailored support, comprehensive assessments, and effective help to live independently at home—considerably better than the England average.
Areas needing improvement included delays in assessments and reviews, inconsistent approaches across teams, and coordination of out-of-hours support and emergency respite for carers.
The council said it acknowledges the findings and remains committed to continuous improvement through its Adult Social Care Strategy and new corporate plan. It reported progress since the CQC assessment began, including reduced waiting lists, strengthened quality assurance, workforce development, and improved feedback processes.
Cllr Eddie McDonald, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Adult Services, said: “We fully acknowledge the findings and remain committed to the continuous improvement of our Adult Social Care Services. We are confident that our ongoing work is delivering measurable progress and improved outcomes for our local community.”
The council said the findings reflect national challenges, with four out of five councils in the East Midlands also rated “Requires Improvement,” and confirmed work will continue with CQC and partners to enhance services further.
