New care home watchdog standards considered by city council

Residential and nursing homes in Stoke-on-Trent could have to reach new standards to be awarded future contracts from the city council.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Cabinet are meeting on Tuesday, September 10 to discuss a report: ‘Working Age Adults Older People’s Residential and Nursing Contract’. 

If councillors approve the report, the council would only award contracts to homes that are rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and adult social care services in England.  

If a home is waiting for the CQC to review its current rating, the council knows this can take some time. In these small number of cases, the council will allow those homes to tender for their next contracts and use its own checks and processes to make sure high standards are being met.  

The cabinet’s report sets out new and higher standards for looking after adults who need residential care across the city. 

The cabinet will also look at several changes to improve services in the local care sector through their duties under the Care Act 2014. Following the cabinet meeting, ongoing engagement with the care market will be undertaken and the options will go out to public consultation. 

Service users and their families will be encouraged and supported to get involved and share their views before any final decisions are made. 

Councillor Duncan Walker, cabinet member for adult services, said: “If we introduce these new contracts it would allow the council to standardise the levels of quality expected of these homes, using the CQC ratings as the benchmark. 

“It’ll bring in an extra level of reassurance for residents and their families knowing that we have a new stronger contract to raise the quality of care in the city. 

“If it’s brought in with the support of the cabinet, our social services team will work closely with our current and future providers. 

“The team will make sure they understand our new approach and are fully prepared for the steps they need to take to tender for future contracts.” 

Across Stoke-on-Trent, there are 63 residential homes and 18 nursing homes with city council contracts.