The City of London Corporation has been awarded a 'Good' rating for its adult social care services by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), following an inspection that highlighted strengths in assessments and partnerships but raised concerns about support for unpaid carers.
Overall Rating and Score
The Corporation achieved a total score of 64 out of 100, just exceeding the 62-point threshold required for a 'Good' rating. The CQC report, published on July 15, 2026, praised the quality of assessments and collaboration with partners in the sector. However, the experience of unpaid carers was described as “mixed,” with some reporting feelings of being “unsupported” and “isolated.”
Unique Context of the City of London
The City of London Corporation is the governing body for the Square Mile and operates under unique circumstances compared to other London councils. It has a particularly small residential population, with only about 135 people recorded as accessing long-term adult social care support in 2023/24. The CQC noted that the Corporation is formally exempt from the Adult Social Care Survey and Survey of Adult Carers in England due to the limited number of eligible individuals.
Inspection Findings and Scores
The CQC rated five areas as three out of four, while four areas received a score of two. Areas rated lower included 'safeguarding' and 'governance, management and sustainability.' Inspectors noted that many people they spoke to “described positive experiences of being listened to and involved in decisions about their care.” Progress was acknowledged in improving care and support, with the quality of assessments receiving particular praise.
The report stated: “People and carers described services as being responsive and committed to person-centred care. They valued timely support and communication from staff, but there were areas for improvement, such as equitable access to services closer to home, ensuring the voice of people was embedded through co-production, and support for unpaid carers.”
Concerns for Unpaid Carers
Unpaid carers reported mixed experiences. The CQC wrote: “Some spoke positively about grants and wellbeing activities that helped them maintain their health and independence. They valued opportunities to attend community events and carers’ groups. Others felt unsupported after assessments and described inconsistency around the follow up from the local authority. Unpaid carers told us they wanted clearer information about their rights and more practical support, including respite and sitting services. Some unpaid carers told us they felt isolated and struggled to balance caring responsibilities.”
Organisational Culture and Future Improvements
The Corporation was described as having “a reflective learning culture,” with evidence of feedback being incorporated. An area flagged for ongoing work is strengthening connections and improving engagement across the community, particularly with “seldom-heard groups.”
Deputy Helen Fentimen, Chair of the Corporation’s Community and Children’s Services Committee, commented: “Everyone should be able to live an independent, healthy and fulfilling life for as long as possible, and this report recognises the work we’re doing to help City residents do just that. It is also a tribute to the dedication of our staff, providers, and partners, who work tirelessly to deliver high-quality care and support for people across the Square Mile. While the report identifies opportunities for us to build on and strengthen our services further, what shines through most clearly is the difference our support makes to people's everyday lives. That is something we are incredibly proud of, and we remain committed to building on these strengths and delivering even better outcomes for residents in the years ahead.”
