Published on
21 August 2025
Adult Social Care Services among the best in the country
Following an inspection in March, the council’s services received an overall rating of 81 per cent, the third highest issued by the Care Quality Commission in the country to date

Wokingham Borough Council’s adult social care services have been rated among the best in the country by Care Quality Commission (CQC) – the independent national regulator.
Following an inspection in March, the council’s services received an overall rating of 81 per cent, the third highest issued by the CQC in the country to date.
The CQC looks at nine areas and rated Wokingham Borough’s ‘Outstanding’ in two (Partnerships & Communities and Learning, Improvement & Innovation) and ‘Good’ in all others.
In particular, the CQC recognised the council’s consistent high standards, innovative practice and commitment to partnership working, including the breadth of work with the voluntary and community sector.
'Exceptional' approach to collaboration
Inspectors praised Wokingham Borough for its “exceptional” approach to collaboration, awarding a top rating for partnership work.
The council’s leadership in local partnerships, including the Health and Wellbeing Board and Safeguarding Adults Board, was highlighted as driving strategic improvement and key to better results for residents.
James Bullion, CQC’s chief inspector of adult social care and integrated care, said: “Leaders and staff at Wokingham should be delighted with the findings of our report, which show a local authority committed to getting people the right support.
“Staff at all levels at Wokingham listened to people’s needs, feedback and concerns. They gave people with lived experience a clear and respected voice, which helped improve services and enhance people’s experiences."
Forward-thinking, exemplary use of strategic data
The report notes a culture of innovation in the council, including a forward-thinking approach to accessible information and continuous improvement.
Leadership was described as stable, visible, and compassionate, with exemplary strategic use of data.
Cllr David Hare, Executive Member for Adult Services, Health and Wellbeing, said: “This CQC rating is a powerful endorsement of our staff’s dedication and professionalism. Their tireless work is making a real difference in people’s lives every day.
"What most pleases me about this report is that it is independent confirmation that residents are getting high quality support that puts them and their experiences at the heart of what we do.”
Report highlights
Among the areas highlighted within the report were:
- The council’s person-centred approach
- Robust safeguarding arrangements
- Clear governance structures and effective risk management and safety
- The council’s response to demographic change in the borough
- The council’s commitment to reducing inequalities for people who may be ‘lost in the averages’
- The Social Care Future Movement in Wokingham Borough, that puts people’s experience at the heart of the service
- The council’s investment in care homes to provide better choice for residents
- Focus and development taking place for the borough to become a Marmot Place, helping reduce inequalities
- Support for agencies and other bodies in the care sector, to ensure the wider sector could support the borough’s residents
- Clear and supportive safeguarding processes and practice
- Use of data and insight to understand activity, impact and demand
Cllr Stephen Conway, Leader of Wokingham Borough Council, said: “This report highlights the outstanding innovation and partnership working that sets our borough apart.
"By listening to people with lived experience, collaborating across sectors and thinking creatively, we’re delivering real, lasting benefits for our residents.”