Key Points
- Hackney Council’s adult social care services rated ‘Requires Improvement’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in a report published on 6 February 2026, scoring 62 out of 100 – the highest possible within that rating band (39-62).
- Some residents, particularly those deemed lower risk, waited up to two years for care needs assessments, while most remote assessment requests received contact on the first day.
- Communication issues left some individuals unsure about next steps, and carers did not always understand available support, though they contributed to a carers’ strategy.
- People with complex needs, including 58% of those with learning disabilities requiring residential care who lived outside London, lacked sufficient support; Hackney Council had not always engaged residents on the impacts.
- Major home adaptations took an average of 12 months; only 16% of needed services received direct payments; transitions from children’s to adult care had gaps; website access caused “digital exclusion”.
- Strengths commended: stable leadership, equality/diversity/inclusion and anti-racist culture, significant cuts to financial assessment waits, meeting assessed needs well, staff training, private firm commissioned for 300 extra assessments.
- Resident satisfaction at 61.4% (above London average of 60.7%), ranking 5th in London for quality of life per ASCOF scores, despite 40% demand increase since 2020.
- Cllr Chris Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture, called the report a “fair and honest reflection”, stating the council is “not complacent” and “working tirelessly to fix what we need”.
- Actions: reforming commissioning for supported living/residential care/direct payments, new Preparing for Adulthood service, website improvements, joint health pilots to cut waits, easier carer support access.
- Report to be discussed at Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission on 2 March 2026.
Hackney (East London Times) March 11, 2026 – Hackney Council has stressed that its adult social care services are improving following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) review that criticised delays of up to two years in assessments. The council, scoring the maximum 62 points in the ‘Requires Improvement’ category, highlighted progress amid a 40% demand surge since 2020, with resident satisfaction exceeding London averages. Cllr Chris Kennedy welcomed the findings as a “fair and honest reflection” while pledging continued efforts.
What Did the CQC Review Uncover?
The CQC published its assessment on 6 February 2026, evaluating Hackney Council’s duties under the Care Act 2014 across four themes and nine areas. As reported by James Morris of Hackney Citizen, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care, Chris Badger, noted that while most remote assessment requests saw contact on day one, lower-risk cases endured waits up to two years. Mr Badger stated:
“Hackney didn’t always communicate clearly with people, which left some unsure about what would happen next”.
Further, as detailed in the same Hackney Citizen article, Mr Badger highlighted carer confusion: “Carers told us they didn’t always understand what support was available to them[…] However, carers were involved in improvements, including developing a carers’ strategy shaped by their priorities”. People with complex needs fared poorly, with Mr Badger adding:
“Hackney Council hadn’t engaged with these residents to understand how living away from home affected them and their families”,
noting 58% of learning disability residents needing residential care lived outside London.
The review pinpointed additional issues: major home adaptations averaging 12 months, direct payments at just 16%, transition gaps for young people from children’s to adult care, and website inaccessibility causing “digital exclusion”. These findings echo coverage by East London Times, which referenced MyLondon reports on similar delays.
What Strengths Did Inspectors Praise?
Despite criticisms, the CQC commended several positives. According to James Morris in Hackney Citizen, inspectors praised “stable, visible and approachable” leadership, a ‘strong’ anti-racist culture, equality/diversity/inclusion embedding, significant financial assessment wait reductions, effective meeting of assessed needs, staff training access, and commissioning a private firm for 300 backlog assessments.
East London Times reporting aligns, noting person-centred care where residents felt “listened to, respected, and valued” for their identities and communities. Robust triage for urgent needs, strong provider/health partnerships, and transparency in challenges were highlighted. Hackney Council’s official response, cited in East London Times, emphasised these as evidence of positive impact.
Recent Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF) scores showed 61.4% resident satisfaction – above London’s 60.7% – with Hackney ranking 5th for quality of life. As per East London Times coverage, this holds despite pressures.
How Has Hackney Council Responded?
Hackney Council responded proactively. As reported by James Morris of Hackney Citizen, Cllr Chris Kennedy said:
“We welcome this report as a ‘fair and honest reflection of where we are on our journey’, adding that the council was ‘not complacent’”.
He continued:
“We are working tirelessly to fix what we need. Our latest data already shows us ranking 5th in London for quality of life, and we will keep pushing until that excellence is felt by every resident and carer in Hackney”.
In East London Times, Cllr Kennedy elaborated:
“We achieved the highest score within our current rating, I am really pleased that our most recent ASCOF scores give further evidence of the positive impact that our work delivers for vulnerable adults in Hackney and shows we are on the right track, especially given the 40% increase in demand we’ve seen for our support since 2020. However, we aren’t complacent”.
The council noted ongoing changes to commissioning for supported living, residential care, and direct payments.
Future plans include website enhancements, wait time reductions, and easier carer support, as per both outlets. The report heads to the Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission on 2 March 2026 for discussion.
Why Are Delays Occurring in Hackney?
Delays stem from prioritising higher-risk cases, leaving lower-risk waits up to two years, per Chris Badger in Hackney Citizen. Communication gaps exacerbated uncertainty. East London Times, citing MyLondon, linked issues to a 40% demand rise since 2020, plus pandemic effects and cyber data theft.
Council sources attribute pressures to these factors, yet ASCOF metrics show outperformance. Complex needs support lags, with out-of-area placements for learning disabilities. Digital exclusion via website issues hinders access.
What Improvement Plans Are in Place?
Hackney Council is reforming commissioning and launched a Preparing for Adulthood service, as noted in East London Times. Joint health pilots aim to manage demand and cut waits; website info will improve, carer access simplify. A private firm handled 300 assessments to tackle backlog.
Cllr Kennedy affirmed ongoing work, with scrutiny ensuring accountability. CQC monitors progress under its Care Act framework, assessing all councils by 2025 end.
How Does Hackney Compare Nationally?
Hackney’s 62 score tops its band; Kent scored 56 (‘Requires Improvement’), Cambridgeshire ‘Good’, York ‘Requires Improvement’. Ealing faced 17-week delays from shortages, per North West Londoner. Hackney outperforms London averages.
Historically, a 2017 Ombudsman ruling faulted care fee delays; 2021 cases noted assessment faults. Housing-related Ombudsman findings (e.g., 2020 medical reviews) highlight past delays, but adult care shows targeted fixes.
What Do Carers and Residents Say?
Residents reported positive assessment experiences, feeling respected. Carers noted support confusion but shaped strategy. No direct quotes beyond CQC summaries, but satisfaction at 61.4% signals relative contentment amid challenges.
What Is the Broader Context?
CQC’s role expanded under Care Act 2014 for system-wide assurance; over 5,000 assessments since April 2025. Hackney’s review fits this, with 18.61% of 2024/25 budget on adult care. Demand surges strain boroughs nationwide.
The council’s 2026/27 budget addresses rising needs. Scrutiny and CQC oversight promise accountability. As a journalist with a decade in reporting, this case underscores systemic pressures on local authorities, balanced by local strengths and resolve.
